Apartment Listings Rental Assistance Homelessness Prevention and Housing Supports

MBHP is committed to providing choice and mobility for Greater Boston residents to find safe, decent, affordable housing. Whether you prefer the city or the suburbs, we can help you to find an apartment in a neighborhood which best fits your needs. For more information, please review the information below and contact our Housing Consumer Education Center at (617) 425-6700.

Free Apartment Search and Relocation Workshops are offered the third Wednesday each month at 10 a.m. RSVP to (617) 425-6650 for the workshops.

Make your apartment a home you’ll love!
There are many things to consider when you’re thinking about moving. What do you need to have nearby? Some examples:

• Public transportation
• Schools or daycare
• Doctors and hospitals
• Grocery store
• Laundromat
• Playground or park
• Employment and training opportunities

You’ll also need to think about the apartment itself. Some of your requirements may include:

• Closets and storage space
• Refrigerator
• Parking
• Laundry facilities or hookups
• Heating system
• Location of apartment in the building (first floor, etc.)
• Wheelchair accessibility

Finding Apartments
Once you have decided on a neighborhood and you know what to look for in apartment, how do you find available units?

MBHP offers up-to-date apartment listings on our website and in our reception area. You are also welcome to use the newspapers, telephones, and internet access in our Housing Consumer Education Center. In addition, we recommend:

· Visit the Rental Housing Resource Center in room 709 at Boston City Hall. The Center offers a weekly list of units available for rent in Greater Boston as well as access to telephones, a quiet workspace, and staff to answer questions. Call (617) 535-3653 for more information.

· Read the apartment listings in the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald.

· Check your local papers. These are often more affordable for landlords to list available apartments. Newspapers can be found in a many locations, including the Boston Public Library, and MBHP’s Housing Consumer Education Center, (617) 425-6700.

· Walk around neighborhoods you like and look for “For Rent” signs. Dress nicely in case property owners want to meet with you right then and there.

· Check neighborhood community boards in laundromats, supermarkets, or churches.

· Call a realtor or rental management company, if you can afford to pay the fees (usually equivalent to one month’s rent).

· Talk to people. “Word of mouth” can be a successful way to find an apartment.

Tips for contacting property owners
When looking for an apartment, you will need to introduce yourself to people you may not know. Here are some tips for presenting yourself:

BY PHONE

• Practice what you’re going to say before you make the call
• Do not mention Section 8 or any other rental assistance program. This has nothing to do with your interest in the apartment and can result in discrimination.
• Be polite, but brief. Focus on making an appointment to see the apartment.
• Write down these 3 things:
  • The name of the person you will be meeting
  • The address of where you will meet him/her
  • The person’s telephone number (but you may only change or cancel your appointment with 24 hours’ notice)

BY EMAIL

• Reference the address of the apartment that interests you and where you saw it advertised
• Briefly introduce yourself in three sentences or less. Mention the type of tenant you are (quiet, tidy, clean, etc.).
• Try to schedule a meeting. List when you are available and provide your telephone number.
• Do not mention Section 8 or any other rental assistance program. This has nothing to do with your interest in the apartment and can result in discrimination.
• Read your email before you send it. Check your spelling and grammar.
• Follow up. Don’t forget to see if you got a response!

IN PERSON

• Act as though you are going on a job interview. Dress nicely, practice good hygiene, and be polite.

What should I do about bad credit?
Having bad credit can prevent you from renting an apartment. Take these steps to make sure your credit report is accurate:

1. Get a copy of your credit report. Under Massachusetts law, you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report from each credit reporting agency listed below. You should request a copy from each agency, as they may report slightly different information.
   1. Equifax, Consumer Relations, PO Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241. (800) 685-1111.
   2. Experian, National Consumer Relations, PO Box 949, Allen, TX 75013. (800) 682-7654.
   3. Trans Union, Consumer Relations, 760 W. Sproul Rd., PO Box 390, Springfield, PA 19064-0390. (800) 916-8800.
      
      
2. Dispute any wrong information on your credit report. Contact the credit reporting agency and let them know that there is inaccurate information on your report. The agency is required to conduct an investigation within 30 days, free of charge. All incorrect information must be deleted from your credit report.
   
   
3. If you have bad credit, fix it. This is the best thing you can do for yourself and your future. These organizations can help you:
   1. Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern New England
      (800) 208-2227
      
   2. www.myvesta.org (formerly Debt Counselors of America)
      (800) 680-3328
      
   3. Debtors Anonymous
      PO Box 920888, Needham, MA 02492
      (781) 453-2743

Inspections
In order for an apartment to be leased by a Section 8 voucher holder, the unit must meet the inspections requirements of HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS) as well as the supplemental requirements of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). These rules are in place to make sure that each apartment is safe for the tenants who live there.

MBHP’s Inspections Department consists of 12 Inspectors, 3 Inspections Coordinators, and one Property Owner Services Manager. This team conducts more than 20,000 inspections each year.

Units are inspected annually, when a new tenant is about to move in, or when a tenant or property owner has made a complaint. If a unit fails inspection, the property owner has 30 days to make the necessary repairs. If a unit fails as a result of utility shutoff due to tenant non-payment, or the tenant has caused damage to the property beyond ‘normal wear and tear,’ he or she has 30 days to restore utilities or repair the damage.

If you have general questions about Inspections, contact Susan Shea at (617) 425-6659 or  Susan.Shea@mbhp.org. For scheduling concerns, contact Yelena Orkin at (617) 425-6653 or Yelena.Orkin@mbhp.org.

Housing Inspection Top 10 List
MBHP’s inspectors have compiled a list of the top ten items that commonly result in a failed inspection. Make sure your property has:

1. Functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

2. Windows that open and shut without being propped up. Locks and screens are also required.

3. Handrails where there are four or more steps inside and outside the building.

4. A window or working ventilation fan in the bathroom.

5. No locks on interior doors that could result in a person being unable to exit a room.

6. Flooring that is free of trip hazards. Bathroom and kitchen floors must be watertight and easily cleanable.

7. Heat must be operational between September 15^th and June 15^th at a minimum of 68 degrees. Hot water must be functional and between 110-130 degrees.

8. Weather-tight, caulked doors and windows; plumbing that is free of leaks.

9. A clean stove that works properly and is secured with an anti-tip device.

10. Lights on the exterior of the building, both front and rear.