Explore our website resources including information on landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, subletting guidelines, and City of Boston resources. Encourage your student to use the Northeastern Housing Database (parents can login as a guests). Share our helpful checklists and lease tools.

See it before you sign it! All students on a lease should see the apartment in-person before moving forward. Families and co-signers may view the apartment via video call or have your student take pictures during their visit. Can’t visit in person? Have a friend, roommate, or relative nearby check it out. Realtors may also provide live walk-throughs.

Research potential apartments using Rent Smart Boston and checking the list of Problem Properties in Boston. Use our checklists as a guide. Email offcampus@northeastern.edu to ask more about student experiences with certain realtors or addresses.

Know the “No More Than 4” ordinance. Boston has a zoning ordinance that limits the number of unrelated persons that can live together to prevent overcrowding. No more than 4 unrelated persons may live in a unit. All students residing in the unit must be on the lease to be protected by Boston tenant law. Anyone not on the lease is not protected and could be evicted.

Safety first! We want students to choose apartments that are safe and secure. Check for basic safety features when visiting an apartment and after move-in. This includes working smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, 2 exits from each room, working windows and door locks, and exterior lighting. Use our Housing Code Checklist and view safety resources.

Review the paperwork. Students should read the application, lease, and addendum before completing the application, paying fees and signing the lease. Ask for a fee disclosure from your realtor. Any promises made by the realtor or landlord must be in writing to be valid. After your student reads the lease, encourage them to ask questions about what clauses mean or if something is unclear. All parents and co-signers should do the same. Our program Lease Genius provides lease guidance,  allowing students and parents to understand the contract terms.

Prepare to co-sign. Students are often required to have a co-signor to show proof of income and/or have a credit check. As a co-signer, you are responsible for rent if tenants are unable to pay.

Plan for fall move-in. Many leases start on September 1st and Boston has many college students moving in at the same time. Plan moving and storage needs early.

Be the hero without the hover. Notice issues with the apartment on move-in day? It’s best to address concerns right away. All apartments must meet minimum State Sanitary Code. Any immediate concerns should be addressed to the landlord directly and reported to the City of Boston’s Inspectional Services by calling 3-1-1 (or by using the BOS:311 app).

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