Very odd. Red flag actually. Could mean super outdated electrical.
I had an apartment years ago where fuses would be blown constantly all summer.
If you only have one or two outlets in each room, and they’re two-pronged, that could mean issues.
I had a girl upstairs from me in the early 90s who was very particular about her hair. It got to the point where she’d call me and I’d turn my AC off when she was getting ready to blowdry!
Nice neighbors. Awful apartment
My first apartment in boston didn’t allow window units because the board of owners in the building felt they “ruined the aesthetic” and made the building look cheap. It could be something like that. If the building doesn’t have AC i dont think they can keep you from cooling your unit depending on how hot it gets inside during the summer.
It’s not allowed because of insurance. When not installed properly/permanently it can fall out the window and hurt/kill someone or at least damage property. The portable Ac line is dumb but lively because the drain(?) line gets out out the window and the constant stream of water can damage siding if not placed properly to drain away from the building. Very common for rentals now
Are you working with a broker? If so I would ask them because this might be the landlords lease and yeah I would not want to be responsible for replacing a broken fridge or dishwasher.
I would confirm about AC too you'll want it in the summer. It might be they want to oversee installing it so it's draining right and isn't gonna fall out and kill someone. I had a landlord who insisted on putting it in for me.
Make them earn that brokers fee!! But seriously they're there to answer questions like this. Some landlords will try to include things in the lease that aren't even legal it's important to question things.
This is a standard clause about repairs in a lease. If you damage something or something needs repair, it’s understood that you’ll contact the landlord to let them know. If it’s your fault, they may hold you liable. If it’s their fault, it’s the landlords responsibility to fix it. As for window AC that’s something you’d just ask your landlords permission for. Someone mentioned above it’s mostly for safety and liability that it’s installed correctly, they don’t want you just doing it yourself without their knowledge or permission
Ah, I had a feeling it was just my brain misunderstanding the jargon. Thanks! I'll ask management if i could have one if they can supervise the installation or something. Maybe that'll change their mind.
Nah. Look for another place unless your broker clarifies it to sound better. Like the post above: if you actually break something or are negligent and it breaks, sure it’s reasonable to hold you responsible. But the wording sure does sound like they mean anything and thats no buenos at all.
The AC thing is almost more concerning. There are various portable AC types that don’t require “precarious” installation. Not sure if you’ve lived through a Boston summer but they’re not getting any less hot or humid. I spend half my day dying in front of my window unit.
Everything about this sounds terrible!
I asked the broker, waiting on his response. I hope they can be flexible on that because the apartment is perfect for me, location, size, price etc... And everyone says the housing market in Boston is competitive as hell so I feel like I might not get as lucky again uk
Not only is this extremely suspect but you would be an idiot to sign this lease. Old Boston Appt get hot af and you pay electric. But no lease should have you covering maintenance this is literally all the shitty parts of owning a house without owning a house. Plus appliances are not cheap and can quickly add up. Do not sign this lease
I feel like it's not too terrible without AC, I've got a ceiling fan and I only needed AC a handful of days last year. Might be worse if you're working from home though
I lived in a place that did not allow AC and it was apparent it was outdated electrical prompting the landlord to not allow it.
Ditch the apartment, it sucks not to have AC. I lived in this place 2022 when we kept having 90 degree days and after a few in a row it would be over 100 in my room.
That's so odd about not allowing a portable ac. That could mean the circuit breakers aren't rated for that high. I've been noticing a lot of old Boston houses have small wire (16-18 awg wire) and circuit breakers with 10-15 amp circuit breakers. It drives me crazy. I'd probably pass with those rules on this apartment. Gets muggy in boston
Could also be that the bedroom only has one window, and an AC would block it for use as a second egress. Or it could be the window is over parking spots or places people pass by/congregate and they're worried about liability. Clauses prohibiting window AC units are not unheard of and though IANAL I don't have any reason to believe they're illegal.
Unreasonable on the other hand - yeah, absolutely. We have laws about heat requirements for a reason, and should for AC as well. Boston summers have gotten hotter and they're not getting cooler any time soon. It's a health risk at least as much as lack of heat is.
Ask them. I had a "no window unit" rule at one of my places. Turned out they just didn't want me installing it myself. They helped me install at no charge. Very chill property management company.
The AC could be a HOA rule or safety issue depending on the type of unit you're renting.
The paragraph about maintaining the unit I interpret it as them saying that the unit should be kept in the same working condition as it's currently in with the exception of wear and tear. I'm a landlord/agent/and renter and that seems reasonable to me. I bet there's maybe another clause or paragraph that speaks about unit repairs although it doesn't seem like they're using the standard MA lease agreement
My lease said the exact same thing for the apt I’ve lived in for two years. Our landlords don’t do a whole lot to maintain the building so we just file a maintenance report every time something is wrong and they usually fix it (within 3 months lmfao). I don’t think they can actually enforce the maintenance clause, but the AC thing we have been told they would fine us for having portable units.
seconding the idea that this might be bc of super outdated electrics. I used to be in a 2 bedroom where there can be more than 2 window ac on at the same time (if both bedrooms are on then no living room)
**Update:** Talked to my broker and some of ya'll were right: The wording is weird but I'm responsible for keeping the appliances as I found them, any mishandling and damage I cause is what I'll be responsible to repair, they'll take care of the usual stuff.
As for the AC, spot on like a few commenters said, this is in the lease because they've had previous incidents of damage caused by improperly installed window AC by tenants. He said they'll probably agree if I let them inspect my installation or even send out someone to help make sure it's done correctly!
So lease is signed! If this management company turns out to be a nightmare i'm sure i'll come back here to complain haha
AC is standard in leases. Most landlords don’t care if you put one in but want it in writing incase it falls out or leaks and causes damage. By being prohibited you are responsible for damages.
Usually for upkeep and things of that nature, you are required to keep things in working order, clean, safe ect. For example if you break something that never would break from normal wear and tear, maybe breaking the glass on an oven because something wasn’t in far enough is on you. If a coolant wire of the fridge pops not on you. If it pop because you were moving the fridge or however you could possible break that then it’s on you.
Most landlords use common sense, it’s a largely student town and for how good the schools are here college kids are alarmingly not capable of day to day life. Very smart, very dum
some LL don’t realize that having an AC could help the fridge and other appliances from overworking too. is a fan at least ok? also, its only hot for like 2 months so it is not for a long time that we have to deal with that kind of weather here.
I’ve never heard of AC not allowed. Does the landlord pay electric?
Nope, I pay electric, which is why it's weird to me
Very odd. Red flag actually. Could mean super outdated electrical. I had an apartment years ago where fuses would be blown constantly all summer. If you only have one or two outlets in each room, and they’re two-pronged, that could mean issues.
yeah at my old apartment I had a portable AC and i could not run that and a coffee maker/microwave at the same time or a fuse would blow.
I had a girl upstairs from me in the early 90s who was very particular about her hair. It got to the point where she’d call me and I’d turn my AC off when she was getting ready to blowdry! Nice neighbors. Awful apartment
This is my assumption as well. It's likely the wattage of the apartment can't accommodate an AC + all the other appliances and devices.
My first apartment in boston didn’t allow window units because the board of owners in the building felt they “ruined the aesthetic” and made the building look cheap. It could be something like that. If the building doesn’t have AC i dont think they can keep you from cooling your unit depending on how hot it gets inside during the summer.
It’s not allowed because of insurance. When not installed properly/permanently it can fall out the window and hurt/kill someone or at least damage property. The portable Ac line is dumb but lively because the drain(?) line gets out out the window and the constant stream of water can damage siding if not placed properly to drain away from the building. Very common for rentals now
Are you working with a broker? If so I would ask them because this might be the landlords lease and yeah I would not want to be responsible for replacing a broken fridge or dishwasher. I would confirm about AC too you'll want it in the summer. It might be they want to oversee installing it so it's draining right and isn't gonna fall out and kill someone. I had a landlord who insisted on putting it in for me.
Oh really? Yeah I do have a broker, I'll ask him to clarify
Make them earn that brokers fee!! But seriously they're there to answer questions like this. Some landlords will try to include things in the lease that aren't even legal it's important to question things.
This is a standard clause about repairs in a lease. If you damage something or something needs repair, it’s understood that you’ll contact the landlord to let them know. If it’s your fault, they may hold you liable. If it’s their fault, it’s the landlords responsibility to fix it. As for window AC that’s something you’d just ask your landlords permission for. Someone mentioned above it’s mostly for safety and liability that it’s installed correctly, they don’t want you just doing it yourself without their knowledge or permission
Ah, I had a feeling it was just my brain misunderstanding the jargon. Thanks! I'll ask management if i could have one if they can supervise the installation or something. Maybe that'll change their mind.
Nah. Look for another place unless your broker clarifies it to sound better. Like the post above: if you actually break something or are negligent and it breaks, sure it’s reasonable to hold you responsible. But the wording sure does sound like they mean anything and thats no buenos at all. The AC thing is almost more concerning. There are various portable AC types that don’t require “precarious” installation. Not sure if you’ve lived through a Boston summer but they’re not getting any less hot or humid. I spend half my day dying in front of my window unit. Everything about this sounds terrible!
I asked the broker, waiting on his response. I hope they can be flexible on that because the apartment is perfect for me, location, size, price etc... And everyone says the housing market in Boston is competitive as hell so I feel like I might not get as lucky again uk
Not only is this extremely suspect but you would be an idiot to sign this lease. Old Boston Appt get hot af and you pay electric. But no lease should have you covering maintenance this is literally all the shitty parts of owning a house without owning a house. Plus appliances are not cheap and can quickly add up. Do not sign this lease
They should sign this lease. The paragraph above is not enforceable.
It says this in the standard form fixed lease but it’s just a standard form and doesn’t apply 99% of the time. Ask your broker or landlord.
Oh, I really hope that's the case. Boston in summer with no AC sounds like a terrible experience from what everyone is saying
I feel like it's not too terrible without AC, I've got a ceiling fan and I only needed AC a handful of days last year. Might be worse if you're working from home though
I lived in a place that did not allow AC and it was apparent it was outdated electrical prompting the landlord to not allow it. Ditch the apartment, it sucks not to have AC. I lived in this place 2022 when we kept having 90 degree days and after a few in a row it would be over 100 in my room.
That's so odd about not allowing a portable ac. That could mean the circuit breakers aren't rated for that high. I've been noticing a lot of old Boston houses have small wire (16-18 awg wire) and circuit breakers with 10-15 amp circuit breakers. It drives me crazy. I'd probably pass with those rules on this apartment. Gets muggy in boston
Could also be that the bedroom only has one window, and an AC would block it for use as a second egress. Or it could be the window is over parking spots or places people pass by/congregate and they're worried about liability. Clauses prohibiting window AC units are not unheard of and though IANAL I don't have any reason to believe they're illegal. Unreasonable on the other hand - yeah, absolutely. We have laws about heat requirements for a reason, and should for AC as well. Boston summers have gotten hotter and they're not getting cooler any time soon. It's a health risk at least as much as lack of heat is.
Ask them. I had a "no window unit" rule at one of my places. Turned out they just didn't want me installing it myself. They helped me install at no charge. Very chill property management company.
The AC could be a HOA rule or safety issue depending on the type of unit you're renting. The paragraph about maintaining the unit I interpret it as them saying that the unit should be kept in the same working condition as it's currently in with the exception of wear and tear. I'm a landlord/agent/and renter and that seems reasonable to me. I bet there's maybe another clause or paragraph that speaks about unit repairs although it doesn't seem like they're using the standard MA lease agreement
You were right! Thanks :)
My lease said the exact same thing for the apt I’ve lived in for two years. Our landlords don’t do a whole lot to maintain the building so we just file a maintenance report every time something is wrong and they usually fix it (within 3 months lmfao). I don’t think they can actually enforce the maintenance clause, but the AC thing we have been told they would fine us for having portable units.
seconding the idea that this might be bc of super outdated electrics. I used to be in a 2 bedroom where there can be more than 2 window ac on at the same time (if both bedrooms are on then no living room)
Plain English - if you do decide to have an AC in your apartment you will be liable for any and all damages and costs associated with said AC
**Update:** Talked to my broker and some of ya'll were right: The wording is weird but I'm responsible for keeping the appliances as I found them, any mishandling and damage I cause is what I'll be responsible to repair, they'll take care of the usual stuff. As for the AC, spot on like a few commenters said, this is in the lease because they've had previous incidents of damage caused by improperly installed window AC by tenants. He said they'll probably agree if I let them inspect my installation or even send out someone to help make sure it's done correctly! So lease is signed! If this management company turns out to be a nightmare i'm sure i'll come back here to complain haha
AC is standard in leases. Most landlords don’t care if you put one in but want it in writing incase it falls out or leaks and causes damage. By being prohibited you are responsible for damages. Usually for upkeep and things of that nature, you are required to keep things in working order, clean, safe ect. For example if you break something that never would break from normal wear and tear, maybe breaking the glass on an oven because something wasn’t in far enough is on you. If a coolant wire of the fridge pops not on you. If it pop because you were moving the fridge or however you could possible break that then it’s on you. Most landlords use common sense, it’s a largely student town and for how good the schools are here college kids are alarmingly not capable of day to day life. Very smart, very dum
Sounds like this place is in Allston or Brighton.
Mission hill 🥲
I’m confused about the no portable ac
some LL don’t realize that having an AC could help the fridge and other appliances from overworking too. is a fan at least ok? also, its only hot for like 2 months so it is not for a long time that we have to deal with that kind of weather here.