All Forum Posts by: Elena Pech

Quote from @Eliott Elias:

I charge a $500 pet deposit per pet, $250 is non refundable. You can also charge pet rent, it is typically $25 per pet/month. 

 No pet fees or pet deposits are allowed in Massachusetts :(

Thank you all. It's apartment in my 2 family house. No condo regulations. Landlords are not allowed to charge animal fees or take additional deposits in Massachusetts. Do you require renters to get additional insurance, to cover for example dog bites?  

My tenants, a nice young couple, want to get a dog. They've been a year in the apartment and everything is fine so far. They say that they both were raised with the dogs and are experienced. I have no experience with dogs, and prefer no dogs on the property. However it looks like there is a high demand on home pets now, and I think I have to consider it. What do I need to worry about? What should I mention in the lease about their pet?

It's hardwood and tile floors in the apartment. No carpet.

Do they need to buy any dog insurance with dog bites coverage or anything like that?
Should I mention that in case the dog create problems and I get complains from the neighbors, the lease won't be extended or can be terminated? (or it's impossible to execute?)
Are there specific breeds or parameters that are recommended, or specifically not recommended?
What should I worry about and specify in the lease regarding the dog?

@Nathan Gesner Thanks. Should subletter only sign the

 addendum or entre copy of the lease for 2 months?

Hi, I am a new landlord in the Boston area. My tenant wants to sublet an apartment for the 2 months of summer. It's stated in the lease that subletts are not allowed, but I am ready to make an exception for her. How should I proceed with it? Do I need to sign any paperwork with this person for sublet? My understanding that my tenant is fully responsible for the apartment and continue paying me rent. It's her responsibility to deal with subletters payments. Do I need to ask for additional security deposit from the subletter? Is there any standard process? What if subletter decide not to move out?  Appreciate your advice.  

I need to renew Certificate of Inspection for my rental property in Somerville MA. It will be my 1st time.

What should I be prepared for? What to check in advance to make sure that everything is in compliance?  Where to get more info about the process? Thank you.

New tenants moved in, and after a few days decided that they don't like an apartment. According to the lease they should pay till I get new equivalent tenants + 1 month rent. They continue living in the apartment. For the last month I was advertising, showing the apartment, but the reality is that the market in our area is now very slow. It's seasonable, and those who wanted to move in before September 1st, already rented. I don't think I will be able now to get the same rent. Need to reduce rent to get new tenants. How should I proceed? What's the right thing to do in this situation?

@Scott M. Thanks Scott, you are right, I can't take double deposit or take upfront.  I wonder if I can ask them to put money to some escrow account, under condition that for the next year they can only use money from this account for rental payments?

Thanks Nathan!

Hi, i have prospective tenants who just moved back from Europe. One got prestigious but not well paid Postdoc in university, the other is still waiting for job offer. They show printscreen of their bank account with amount equal to many years of rent. How to work with them? What additional documents to ask? Is there a way to secure money for annual rent, that they can't use for anything else? I think there are many cases, when people have savings but not enough income. How to work with them?