General Questions
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We typically offer apartments across Brighton, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, Roslindale, Roxbury, and South Boston, though availability varies.
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New units in Dorchester, Roxbury, Roslindale, Hyde Park are posted on a monthly basis. Units in South Boston, Jamaica Plain, Brighton, and Allston generally are posted starting January of every year and can update monthly.
The vast majority of our available units are two and three-family buildings in Boston; your typical double or triple decker. Units typically range from 1 bedroom to the occasional 5 or 6 bedroom.
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Browse available units, schedule a tour, and submit an online application. Once screening is complete, approved applicants receive a digital lease to sign.
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A valid ID, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or offer letter), employer contact information, and prior landlord info.
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Most applications are reviewed within 24–72 hours, depending on how quickly third parties (employers, landlords) reply – in some cases, full approval can happen within a few hours.
Tenant Screening Process -
There is NO application fee.
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Yes. Each adult must submit their own application. Combined income may be used to meet qualifications.
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Yes. Guarantors must show stronger financial qualifications.
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Yes. We offer in-person tours and virtual video walkthroughs for most units.
Contact us for an apartment tour -
Each building is different. The vast majority of utility breakdown in our listings are tenant pays for gas and electricity and owner pays for water. See each listing description for more information.
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No, we do not require it but it is highly recommended.
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Some buildings offer off-street or garage parking for an additional monthly fee. Street parking may require a Boston Resident Permit.
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Pet policies vary. Some allow cats and small dogs with a monthly pet fee or breed restrictions.
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All properties are non-smoking, including apartments, balconies, and common areas.
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Lease Terms and Payments
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Most leases are 12 months.
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Most Boston rentals require first month’s rent, last month’s rent, and a security deposit equal to one month’s rent, but many listings we have offer discounted security deposit or no last month's rent to lower the upfront cost. See each listing for more information about deposits.
Affordable Housing and Section 8
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Yes. We accept all lawful sources of income, including Section 8, MRVP, and other housing vouchers, as required by Massachusetts law. Years of experience with the inspection process can help landlords look for items / repairs needed to pass the inspection, familiar with paperwork for all housing agencies in Boston and developed connections at these agencies as well.
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If you already have a voucher, simply provide a copy of your voucher showing the bedroom size when applying. We coordinate with your housing authority for inspections and approvals.
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Yes. We accept MRVP, EHCV, VASH, HomeBASE, and all local/state voucher programs.
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You may need tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, household composition forms, and verification letters depending on the lottery or program.
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Voucher applicants must meet program rules, not market-rate income standards. You still need to meet credit/screening requirements unless your agency covers those.
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For market-rate units, income should typically equal 2.5–3x the monthly rent. Voucher holders must meet voucher program requirements instead.
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A score of 640 or higher is recommended, but we review full credit history, not just the number. Credit score requirements vary by unit listed and different owner requirements. Most applications are reviewed holistically, with a higher emphasis on references, housing court history and criminal history.
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Your housing authority schedules an inspection. Once the unit passes, you provide income documentation to your housing agency, they determine the max rent they can offer the landlord. Once that is accepted, they calculate your tenant share, the lease is finalized, you pay your portion of first months' rent (if you have a portion) along with any other deposits, and you move in after the approved start date.
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You are only responsible for your tenant portion, which is calculated by your housing authority. You cannot legally pay more than that portion.
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Landlords set the rent for their apartments and list them online. Each housing agency also publishes payment standards on its website. If you have a voucher, the approved rent must be at or below the amount your agency allows.
It’s very important to know which utilities you are responsible for in each listing. Payment standards represent the maximum amount the agency will pay with all utilities included, and most rentals do not include everything.
To calculate your true allowance, review the agency’s utility deduction chart (for example, the Boston Housing Authority – Boston Housing Authority Section 8 Housing). Subtract the listed utility amounts that you will be paying from the posted maximum rent.
Example:
As of January 2026, the maximum rent for a 3-bedroom unit in Dorchester with all utilities included is $3,390. If the tenant is responsible for gas heat and electricity, you must deduct:$126 for gas heat
$142 for electricity
$13 for gas cooking
$41 for gas hot water
These deductions lower the maximum rent the agency will approve. If this adjusted number is below the landlord’s asking rent, you may be responsible for paying up to 40% of your income toward rent. However, you cannot pay any extra amount above the approved rent — that would violate Section 8 program rules and could result in losing your voucher.
When the requested rent is close, many landlords familiar with Section 8 are willing to lower their price to meet the agency’s approved amount.
See more…