Massachusetts Rental Application Requirements, Expectations, & Examples
Going through the rental application process is something that most people go through at some point. You need a process. And it makes sense to have one that aligns with any local laws and regulations, as well as gets everything done all at once if you can. It can certainly be annoying to have to follow up again and again with different forms, rather than have one application where all the things that need to be collected and signed off on are done all at once. So what is the Massachusetts rental application process like? What are the requirements for landlords to include, and what can tenants expect? Here, we will tackle that.
Both landlords, owners, and tenants want the entire thing to run smoothly. As a premier Boston property management company, we pride ourselves on having an application process that is both thorough and makes sense for everyone involved. Let’s go over a lot of the basics that landlords and tenants need to know to navigate applications with the least amount of headaches. Here we will go over the following:
- Required and Suggested Info for a Massachusetts Rental Application – We will cover some of the basic requirements and general things most landlords include on a rental application.
- What Landlords Can and Cannot Ask for in Massachusetts – We will go over a few notable things that landlords should and shouldn’t include from a legal standpoint.
- Examples of Application Forms – Then we will outline some places you can go online to find examples of application forms.
- How Professional Property Managers Can Help – And finally, we will tackle how property managers can be a real lifesaver in this whole application process.
Required and Suggested Info for a Massachusetts Rental Application
When you’re filling out a rental application in Massachusetts, it helps to know what kind of info landlords are actually allowed to ask for—and what’s just helpful to have ready. The application process can move fast, and having your details lined up ahead of time can really smooth things out.
Massachusetts has a few state-specific rules on what’s fair game, so let’s break it down in a way that makes it all a little easier to navigate. Here are some common required and suggested info for a Massachusetts rental application.
- Basic Personal Info – Full name, contact details, current address, and Social Security number are usually asked for upfront.
- Employment and Income – Expect to share employer info, income amount, and maybe a recent pay stub or two.
- Rental History – Most landlords want to see where you’ve lived, for how long, and get a sense of how reliable you’ve been.
- References – Names and contact info for past landlords or even employers can help vouch for you.
- Consent for Credit/Background Checks – Landlords must get written permission before running any credit or background check.
- Optional Details – Things like pet info, vehicle details, or emergency contacts might come up depending on the property.
What Landlords Can and Cannot Ask for in Massachusetts
When either filling out or creating a rental application in Massachusetts, it’s helpful to know what landlords can and cannot ask. They can request standard details like your name, current address, employment information, and references to assess your suitability as a tenant. You know, the basic stuff that you expect. They can also ask for consent to run credit and background checks, which is a common part of the application process.
At the same time, there are limits to what they can or should ask. There are privacy concerns and things that have just been deemed problematic. For starters, landlords should not request your full Social Security number unless they have a legitimate reason, like running a credit or background check… and even then, they need a tenant’s written consent. If they don’t plan to run those checks, there’s no reason to ask for it. They should also avoid collecting bank account numbers or any detailed financial account info on the application itself. It’s more appropriate to ask for proof of income (like a pay stub) rather than full account details.
Landlords should also not ask about race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, marital status, or whether a person receives public assistance. These protections are in place to prevent housing discrimination and make sure things are fair for all applicants. For instance, they cannot require proof of employment income specifically from voucher holders, as this could discriminate against those receiving public assistance.
Massachusetts law also has specific provisions regarding rental applications. Landlords cannot charge application fees, including fees for credit checks or other administrative costs. They are limited to collecting first and last month’s rent, a security deposit (not exceeding one month’s rent), and the cost of a new lock and key.
Examples of Application Forms
It’s not a bad idea to take a look at examples of Massachusetts rental application forms to see how others recommend drafting an application. Here are some of the most prominent places to take a look to view and maybe download locally-based applications.
- Applications and Other Forms from MassLandlords.net
- Massachusetts Landlord Forms and Other Information from the American Apartment Owners Association
- Massachusetts Application Templates from eForms
How Professional Property Managers Can Help
Making sure that the application process is streamlined, efficient, and of course all legal is the best way to oversee and run a rental business. After all, finding and screening qualified tenants is a major part of owning and managing rental properties. So, if you can make the process more efficient with good, quality applications, landlords can save a significant amount of time.
Another solid strategy for streamlining rental processes is hiring professional property management. A full-service team of professionals like Bay Property Management Group can help you with every step of the rental process. We offer comprehensive rental management services… that means tenant screening to rental maintenance, rent collection, and more. Contact BMG today to learn about our property management services in Beacon Hill, Boston, and surrounding areas, along with Baltimore, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, Washington, DC., and elsewhere.
