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Updated over 2 years ago on . Most recent reply

Is it legal to define rental fees based on a number of occupants?
Is it legal in Massachusetts to define rental fees based on a number of occupants?
It definitely make sense for me, because I pay a water bill, but I don't usually see it for the long term rentals. Today I found one listing that specified rent per a number of people. I wonder if I can do the same or I'll put myself in a trouble. This listing was by owner, so he may not know all the rules.
$3200 for 3-5 people.
$3250 for 6-7 people
$3350 for 8 people.
Most Popular Reply

What @Theresa Harris said. The landlord may pay the water/sewer bills to the utility company but the tenants should reimburse / pay for it based on either consumption, flat fee, or some other basis (e.g. monthly rent or additional $50/mo utility fee includes up to X gallons of water per month. Overages are the responsibility of the tenants billed at Y rate). The cleanest way of accomplishing that is by installing submeters which is not always possible. Thus a reasonable utility allocation formula.