Can a lease be rent free?

A rent free period is period of time during your lease where you don’t have to pay any rent at all. Although rent free periods usually kick in at the start of the lease, you might find them at other points during the lease term.

Are application fees for apartments legal in MA?

In Massachusetts, it’s actually illegal for landlords to charge an application fee at all. It’s possible, however, that a private landlord may refuse to rent you an apartment if you won’t agree to pay an additional (illegal) fee for background or credit checks.

Does a lease need to be notarized in Massachusetts?

No, lease agreements do not need to be notarized in Massachusetts. As long as the residential lease meets all the criteria required to be legally binding, notarization is not necessary. The landlord and tenant can agree to have the lease notarized if they wish, but it is not required by Massachusetts state law.

What is free rent called in a lease?

Abated rent
Abated rent Sometimes referred to as “free rent,” abated rent is typically offered during the first few months of a lease. This allows businesses to set aside funds for moving expenses and other upfront costs without having to worry about monthly rent payments.

What is a reasonable rent-free period?

Depending upon how much work needs doing, the duration of the rent-free period will vary: for straightforward matters, including contribution towards the cost of the tenant’s fit-out, anything between a week and three, possibly to six months.

Why do landlords offer free rent?

As a landlord, the reason that you want to give free rent in lieu of a lower base rent, there’s a couple of reasons. It helps keep your building up versus starting out with a lower base rent, have the increases on a smaller base over time. So you want to keep that face rate as high as possible.

What is the maximum rent increase allowed in Massachusetts?

Rent Increases: There is no legal limit to the amount of rent a landlord can charge. However, in order for the rent increase to be valid, the landlord must provide the tenant proper notice of the raise in rent and the tenant must agree to it (signs the lease with the new monthly rent).

Are brokers fees legal in MA?

Brokers can charge fees on top of property owner fees. Brokers have to give you a written notice that states how much the fee will cost. It also must tell you how you need to pay the fee, and if the fee usually only applies if you enter into a rental agreement.

Can a landlord refuse to renew a lease Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, the landlord cannot terminate a lease, refuse to renew a lease, or raise the rent on a tenant who has: Exercised a legal right.

How can I break my lease in Massachusetts?

If you break MA lease laws like not paying rent, your landlord must give you 14 days’ notice to pay rent or vacate the property. After this time period passes, your landlord can turn in the eviction term. In general, you are expected to pay rent for the entire term, even if you don’t live in the unit.

How do rent free periods work?

A period at the beginning of a tenancy during which no rent is payable by the tenant. It is given: As an inducement to the tenant to enter into the lease which does not affect the headline rent; or.

What does abate the rent mean?

Rent abatement is a provision that allows you, as a tenant, to stop paying rent or to pay less rent when your home isn’t livable or your commercial property isn’t usable. The length of a rent abatement period hinges on: The severity of the problem at hand.

What is a standard lease agreement in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors Standard Residential Lease Agreement (Form 401) is a document that allows a landlord to set the base rules and expectations in regards to the renting of a residential property that are to be strictly followed by the tenants until the contract’s termination.

Where to find rental agreement forms in Massachusetts?

These forms are a good starting place for Massachusetts rental real estate. Click here for Rental Agreement Rundown If you’re not yet a paid member, you can only view content marked as (Free). Disclaimer: The content and materials provided on this site are meant to be for educational and informational purposes only.

Can a landlord waive a lease agreement in Massachusetts?

It should be noted that Massachusetts State Law will supersede any additional agreements or waivers attached regardless of the circumstances. This includes any waivers that would force a Landlord or Tenant to give up their basic rights or put them in a position of behaving in an unlawful manner.

How to fill out Boston residential lease agreement?

Step 9 – In paragraph “B,” enter the first fiscal year this lease applies two on the first blank space. Then enter the fiscal year which the real estate taxes (during this tenant’s occupancy) shall be compared to on the second blank line.