Cambridge Apartments

Looking for an apartment in and around Boston can sometimes be overwhelming. Don’t get stuck living somewhere you dislike simply because you forgot to check something out first. Print this page and take it with you on your next viewing.

1. Heat/Thermostat:

Check for a thermostat and ask about what kind of heat is used. Sometimes heat is included in your rent, and temperature cannot be controlled by the tenant. Some places have electric baseboard heat, which can be more expensive than gas or oil. If it is electric, check with your local utility company – which may offer discounts on using electric heat.

2. Closets/Storage:

Pay special attention to closet space and find out if there is a storage option. Older buildings in and around Boston do not always have a lot of closets or storage space, so you may find yourself in a tough spot without room to put your belongings.

Small closet solution:

a. Hanging shoe rack for the back of the closet

b. Under the bed storage

3. Windows:

Check windows to make sure they close securely, so that you don’t waste money on heating and cooling costs. You also want to protect yourself against potential water damage. Of course, windows that don’t secure properly are also a safety issue.

4. Appliances:

Check for appliances, such as a refrigerator, range, washer and dryer. Some places do not include these with the unit.

1. If there is not a washer/dryer unit in the apartment, you should find out how close you are to the closet laundromat.

5. Bathroom:

Assess the bathroom situation. If you plan on living with roommates, make sure the bathroom is large enough to accommodate everyone and their stuff. Also, check for mold or mildew on the walls as this is a sign of poor ventilation and could lead to health issues.

6. Water pressure:

It’s hard to get your dishes clean or even shower without enough water pressure. Feel free to turn the shower and sinks on as you walk through and pay special attention to how well they drain. A slow drain can be a sign of a major plumbing issue.

7. Outlets:

Check each room to see how many outlets there are. It is a good idea to have at least one 3-pronged outlet (grounded) in each room. Also, ask if the unit has a restriction on amps. A lot of older buildings with obsolete wiring simply cannot handle too much electricity use, so appliances like air conditioners and dishwashers may be out of the question. If an outlet is within six feet of a water source, it needs to have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) installed to help avoid a potential shock hazard.

1. Make sure you know where the apartment building fuse box is if there is not one in your apartment

2. Check for cable outlets in each room

8. Detectors

Make sure you know where the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are. Massachusetts state law requires all homes that rely on fossil fuel heating sources to have a carbon monoxide detector.

9. Extermination:

Ask about any pesticide problems. See if that is something your landlord maintenance does or if you are responsible in calling someone to come over

10. Parking:

If you have a car, ask if parking is available and whether or not you need a permit to park on the street. If a permit is required, you will need to get a sticker through City Hall. Also, ask about how to deal with visitor parking. Sometimes visitor passes are required and can be purchased for a fee.

11. Repairs:

Inspect the apartment for anything that may be in need of repair and document it with the agent – so that you are not charged for damages when your lease is up. Don’t let small holes or wall scratches go. You can get charged for those when it’s time to discuss your refund for the security deposit. You can request that these things be repaired prior to your move-in date, or if it’s a small cosmetic thing, you may even be able to bump your rent down a bit if it’s something you can live with.

12. Renovation agreements:

Also make sure you ask if you are allowed to put holes in the walls or repaint the walls without having to paint it back before you move out. These are charges that could haunt you in the end.

13. Measure:

Bring a measuring tape with you for entry ways and hallways to make sure your furniture will fit.

14. Research:

If you can manage it, try and talk with the current or previous tenant to see why they are moving out and what their thoughts are on the apartment and location. Ask about surrounding neighbors, who lives in the apartment building, the street and building noise, etc. Oftentimes, this will shed light on anything they might perceive as a negative, but take it with a grain of salt. Make sure to ask if there are any problems with insects or rodents.

15. Safety

Check to see how secure entering the building is. If there is no doorman, make sure the front door stays locked. Hopefully there is an intercom system that can ring up to your apartment.

16. Surroundings:

Proximity to transportation, grocery store, laundromat, and restaurants is important to some. Some areas inside the city are not necessarily close to these types of establishments. This can be a big nuisance if you do not plan on having a car. Also check out the crime statistics in your area. If a bedroom overlooks the street or the T, it could get noisy at night, especially if you are in a college student living area.

17. Housekeeping

See if there is an on-call maintenance in case you really get in a bind. Also, ask about the garbage pick up schedule. There might be a dumpster behind your apartment building. If not, ask about the garbage pick up, recycling and where to leave your garbage

18. Take pictures:

Take photos of every room from different angles. That way, you can compare the places you looked at after the fact to help you make your decision. Plus, having photos can help you plan your living set-up and will help to make your move a bit easier. Plus, you can show all your friends your new place before you even move in.

19. Take notes:

Bring a notebook to take jot things down – write down which units have utilities included, the size of each apartment, number of rooms, general likes and dislikes, measurements, closet locations, electrical-outlet locations, and maybe even a sketch of the floor plan if you’re feeling particularly ambitious.

20. Landlord agreement

Make sure you are clear on the rent checks (where and to whom you mail to), parking payments (if you go through your landlord company), legal matters (the contract should state that one can not come into your apartment without notice) and overall housekeeping issues (garbage pickup, heat control if they control it, etc.).

Helpful hints:

* Beware of high-pressure agents. Yes, there is a lot of demand in the Boston area for apartments, but the market is more favorable toward renters now as high prices and a lagging economy have forced a lot of would-be renters outside the city limits. It might be worth a shot to try and negotiate the price or make a deal.

* Don’t let an agent rush you through a unit. Take your time to look around and get a feel for it. Since you could be in this space for at least a year, it’s important to be happy with your new home.

* Not all apartments are created equal in Boston and not all of them have a place to relax outside. If this is important to you, ask if there is a roof deck or any kind of patio or outdoor area.

* If you’re on a budget, try to find a no or half-fee apartment. A lot of buildings and complexes with in-house property management teams do not require a fee. Most people can expect to pay first, last, and security (usually equal to 1 month’s rent) up-front, so adding a fee on top of that can add up to a rather large bill. Also, a lot of landlords will opt to pay the fee (or half of it) for you if they are desperate enough to fill the space. Another option might be to find owner-occupied properties, which usually do not have a fee.

* Ask about what cable services are available and make sure to check your cellphone signal.