Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Begin My Apartment Search?

Have you done your budgeting? If not, be sure to check out our Living Off Campus Budget Worksheet, and start saving! Before viewing or signing a lease, be sure you are ready with the upfront expenses that may include first and last months rent, a security deposit and potentially a broker's fee.

Use the Off-Campus Housing Website to view and filter through housing options in the area or neighboring areas. If you're looking for some roommates, post your profile to the roommates tab and find other students in the area who may be looking for roommates as well. 

What should I look for in my apartment search?

• Make sure the costs for your space are in line with what you are comfortable and able to pay.
• Ask the landlord what utilities are included in the rent.
• If you have a car, ask if parking is included, or what the permit process may be in the area. Is the apartment close to "T" stops?
• Make sure that faucets work and that there don't seem to be any leaks.
• Are there means of egress in the apartment? Fire escapes? 
• What's the neighborhood like? Nearby grocery stores? Are the streets well-lit at night?
• If you notice any issues in the apartment, bring them up. Is the landlord planning to fix those issues before you move in? Make sure that this information is noted in writing - whether in your lease or other means. Keep all documentation in a safe place.

What about scams?

Take one rule of thumb: If it seems to good to be true, it probably is. Some scams could include a price entirely too low for the neighborhood averages, photos that look very different from advertisements, or even requests to wire or send money before seeing the space. Ask friends, family, or a professional if you're not sure.

Be aware that many potential scammers are skilled at using some sites that you might consider to be a reputable source. Always be aware and ask questions before handing over any money.

Common Red-Flags to help you avoid scams:

• The landlord or property manager seems exceedingly eager to rent to you.
• The apartment seems to have all the bells and whistles at an extremely low price.
• Someone asks you to send money before having seen the apartment.
• They do not require you to sign a lease.
• The upfront fees are much higher than you expected (more than 3 times the monthly rent which would include first, last, and security deposit).
• Someone tells you not to contact the original person listed as the point of contact.

*Educate yourselves on Tenant's Rights and Responsibilities in our Before You Move In handout and other resources on our site.

How early should I look to sign a lease?

Not too early! Many students have begun looking for housing options well before they need to - many are signing leases up to a year in advance! Consider that things may change over the next year:

• What if you decide you want to live on campus after all?
• What if your friend group changes?
• What if your financial situation changes?
• What if you want to study abroad?

In addition, when you sign a lease a year in advance, you are agreeing to the state of the house or apartment at that particular time. If you choose to do this, be sure to carefully read your lease - some landlords include a clause that reads that you are taking the space "as is," but how could you really know how the space will look a year from now?

Myth: If I wait to look until March, I won't find anything!

Fact: There are many students who have started their housing search process some months prior and have found suitable spaces in the area. The other benefit of waiting is that the prices may drop!

What are some important things I should look for in my lease?

A standard lease includes certain important information such as: 

• Ensuring who is noted as the "parties" in the lease - you, your housemates, your landlord
• Location of the property and description
• Term of Occupancy (how long you will live there)
• Amount for rent and included utilities. Your lease should also note what utilities are the tenant's responsibility
• Security Deposits
• How to log maintenance requests
• Pets
• Other Restrictions

Your lease may also include information about sublets. If it does not, it is a good idea to ask this question. If there are items in your lease that you are unsure of, do some research. Seek out assistance from Tufts ORLL with reviewing the terms of your lease.

Will I need someone to co-sign my lease?

If you do not have an already established credit history or are unable to fully commit to the cost of the rent for space, your landlord may ask you to seek out someone willing to co-sign for your apartment. This is to ensure that if you default on paying your rent, someone else will be held responsible for the past-due charges. Be careful in who you select, and ensure that they are willing to co-sign for you. Co-signers will typically need to be included on the lease, as well as go through credit checks to prove that they are a responsible party. 

What Costs Are Associated With Living Off-Campus?

Be prepared in knowing what costs are generally associated with signing your lease and agreeing to live in the space. Most landlords will require first and last month's rent, along with a security deposit (usually equivalent to one month's rent). If you are utilizing a broker, you may be required to pay a broker's fee, which is usually equivalent to one month's rent. 

Ex. Rent is $900/month, Upfront Costs*: First + Last + Security ($900 x 3 = $2700).

*add one month's rent if using a broker or seek negotiations with your landlord.

In many situations, you may be able to negotiate with your landlord. Talk to them about paying first and security, or perhaps just first and last. If you utilized a broker, see if your landlord would consider covering the broker's fee.

How much should I expect to spend monthly?

You should factor in such costs such as your monthly rent, utilities (that may include gas, electric, and in some situations water), Internet, food costs, and personal needs. Check out our Living Off Campus Budget Worksheet to help consider your specific monthly costs.

Will Financial Aid help me cover my housing costs?

Check out the Financial Aid presentation on how your financial aid works with living off campus. For information specific to your financial aid situation, make an appointment with your advisor or stop by during their drop-in hours: Mondays from 12 pm - 2 pm, and Thursdays from 2 pm - 5 pm. 

What if I have a 529 College Savings Plan? Will my off-campus housing costs and expenses be covered?

Check with your individual savings institution for a more concrete answer to this question. However, generally, all associate college costs may be covered with a 529 College Savings Plan which may include rent, utilities, and meals.

I Am Going Abroad, What Should I Do in This Situation?

If you choose to live off-campus during the year you are considering going abroad, you may run into a situation where you have signed a 12-month lease and will need to find a potential subletter. Ensure that your landlord is okay with sublet situations - usually, this will be listed in the lease and will require a separate application process that must go through the landlord. Before signing your lease, see if you know anyone going abroad in the opposite semester to see if you might be able to swap spaces. If not, feel free to post your space here on the off-campus housing website offering a sublet space.

Students going abroad may consider signing a lease for 12-months and seeking out a subletter for the remainder of their lease, subletting a place themselves, or applying for campus housing.

What if I Want to Live on Campus During My Junior and Senior Years?

If you are interested in living on campus during your junior and/or senior years, be sure to apply for housing so that you are entered in our list for students who will be assigned a lottery or waitlist number. Students who receive a lottery number are guaranteed a space on campus; students who receive a waitlist number will need to see how occupancy looks around room selection time. Check out more information about the application and lottery process at the Office for Residential Life and Learning's website.

What if I Want/Need to Get Out of My Lease?

A lease is a legally binding contract - if you break your lease, you are in breach of contract and your landlord could take you to court and sue you for the balance of rent owed. If you don't have a strong case/reason as to why you are looking to break your lease, or if your landlord hasn't agreed to let you out of your agreement, you could leave yourself susceptible to lawsuits and damaging repercussions to your rental history, your or your co-signers credit, and more.

Before considering breaking your lease, you could opt to see if your landlord/roommates are open to a sublet situation. This could prove an effort of good faith to the landlord that you are not trying to skip out on your obligations. However, there are also times when tenants have run into difficulties with their landlords and have sought out the option of breaking their lease. 

Most leases will include a clause about Breach by Lessee, it may say something to the effect of: "failure to comply with the provisions set forth in this document may result in a 7- or 14-day notice to the Lessee to vacate said leased premises..."

These notices are dependent on the provisions breached and more than likely only cover early termination in the event the Lessee (Tenant) fails to meet a provision of the lease. However, it's important to know what your options are in the event your landlord fails to fulfill their part of the lease. Below is some general information about getting maintenance work done and early termination options.

Bad conditions in your apartment

Your landlord is required to provide certain maintenance work within a certain period of time after being notified about the issue. Review the Housing Code Checklist if you have maintenance items that have not been repaired within a certain period of time by your landlord. If your landlord has not resolved issues within your apartment, the law allows you to end your lease and move out. There are certain steps that you have to take before doing this, so be sure to do your research, try other options first, and consult professionals as needed. 

General tips:

• Call your town's Inspectional Services Department. They can check your space for issues and help put a bit of pressure on the landlord to have the issues resolved in a timely fashion. They will also provide you with a report for your records. Be sure to document everything.
• If the issue hasn't been resolved, contact the Board of Health. If the landlord hasn't resolved the issue by this time, you can request a new inspection to be done. You can also start to consider whether or not to withhold rent*, have the repairs made on your own and deduct the costs from your monthly rent, break your lease, or take your landlord to court to have the issue resolved. Make sure that you do the proper research before taking these actions.

*Read this chapter via Mass Legal Help for more information on breaking your lease or withholding rent.

Still interested in leaving?

Surrendering Your Apartment

Talk to your landlord and see if they will agree to an earlier move out date. It's best that this is done in writing so that you have documented responses if something turns up later on about the situation. Sometimes, a landlord may ask for an early termination fee - it could be a cancellation fee, forfeiture of your deposit, etc. Talk more with your landlord to determine what terms may affect you if this is the case.