Housing Law & Vocabulary
Landlord Rights
Tenant Rights
Safety & Security
Mystery
100
A contract allowing someone to use or live in a property for a specific length of time in exchange for a certain amount of money.
What is a lease?
100
Pre-payment for the last month of occupancy. The amount of this pre-prepayment cannot be more than one month’s rent.
What is last month’s rent?
100
This is the only time a landlord can increase the cost of rent on a tenant with a lease.
What is, "when the lease expires?"
100
These are three examples of things that, for child safety, it is important to store in locked cabinets or above counter level.
What is “toxic chemicals such as cleaning supplies, medications, weapons”?
100
Most leases require tenants to sign off agreeing to be respectful to their neighbors. This is one of the biggest complaints people have of their neighbors.
What is noise?
200
A list including any existing damage in a unit at the time of move-in. This list must be signed by both the landlord and the tenant.
What is statement of condition?
200
Separate money the tenant gives to the landlord upon move-in, no greater than one month’s rent, which is used to cover damage to the apartment or other violations of the lease when the tenant moves out.
What is a security deposit?
200
A landlord must provide a signed copy of this legal document to the tenant within 30 days of signing. Failure to do so can result in the landlord being fined up to $300.
What is a lease?
200
Two alarm devices that must be in your home to detect harmful inhalants (such as gasses).
What are smoke detector and Carbon Monoxide detectors?
200
Construction workers are not allowed to do work on these days of the week without a Special Construction Permit.
What is Saturday and Sunday?
300
This kind of tenant occupies a rented apartment without a lease, but pays rent periodically (typically monthly). Under this type of tenancy, either the landlord or tenant may end this arrangement at any time by giving written notice of 30 days (or one full rental period) without any consequences.
What is a tenant-at-will?
300
The people named on the lease are the only individuals who are allowed to live in the apartment. A tenant must do THIS first before additional people move into their apartment in order to avoid the possibility of eviction.
What is, “get the landlord’s permission, preferably in writing?”
300
A tenant may change this security feature as long as the landlord has the ability to get into the apartment in the event of an emergency or make repairs.
What are door locks?
300
This surprisingly affordable option protects you financially in the case of fire or theft to help you replace items such as computers, clothing, jewelry and furniture.
What is renter’s insurance?
300
What is one of the best ways to confront an issue with a neighbor in order to maximize understanding?
What is face-to-face conversation? (Telephone communication is also an effective option)
400
One of the steps in an eviction process where a legal notice is given to the tenant to move out of the apartment.
What is a notice to quit?
400
When a tenant does not pay their rent on time, a landlord may begin this process immediately after rent is one day late.
What is the eviction process?
400
A landlord must provide these two working appliances.
What are a stove (cook top) and oven?
400
Rental housing units in Boston must be inspected to make sure they are in compliance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code when they are being re-rented to a new tenant. This certificate is issued once the apartment has passed inspection.
What is a “Certificate of Fitness”?
400
These are three of the several critical components every lease should include. (***must correctly name three of these)
What are: 1. The amount of rent. 2. The address, apartment number, and other identifying information about the apartment. 3. The tenancy’s termination date and when it can be renewed. 4. The names of those allowed to live in the apartment. 5. The amount of the security deposit (if applicable) and all other charges in addition to rent. 6. Who is responsible for paying utilities. 7. The name, address and phone number of the landlord or person responsible for maintaining the property, as well as the person authorized to receive notices and court papers.
500
Under this law, owners are responsible for preventing rodent access to property. In a single-family home, the tenant is responsible for pest control inside the property but for two family units and above, the landlord is responsible for extermination.
What is the pest-control/extermination law?
500
A landlord can hold a tenant responsible for paying these two costs if the tenant breaks the lease (moves out before the end of the lease).
What is “any unpaid rent under the lease and/or for the costs associated with finding a replacement tenant?”
500
The landlord may not collect this for at least 30 days when rent is late.
What is interest or a penalty on late rent?
500
This individual is responsible for removing or making safe all snow and ice on sidewalks, entryways and all exit areas from the building, including the walkway, stairs and curb ramps (unless otherwise specified in the lease).
What is the landlord?
500
This harmful behavior is the persistent difficulty with discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. For those who struggle with this, the quantity of their collected items sets them apart from others, and could potentially lead to eviction.
What is hoarding?
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