Your rights at 134 Oxford St

At or before the start of a tenancy a landlord may collect only first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit of no more than one month's rent, and the cost of a key and lock. The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account, with 5% annual interest (or the lesser amount the bank paid) paid to the tenant. It must be returned within 30 days after the tenancy ends, less itemized, sworn deductions for allowed items.

M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B

Owners, landlords and management companies must give tenants the city's rights-and-resources Guide at the start of a tenancy and when legal steps to terminate a tenancy are taken (e.g., Notice to Quit or Summary Process). The ordinance does not limit the grounds for eviction.

Cambridge Municipal Code ch. 8.71

It is unlawful to discriminate in furnishing rental accommodations against a person because they receive public assistance or a housing subsidy (including rental assistance), or because of any requirement of such a program.

M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4(10)

A landlord may obtain CORI to evaluate rental applicants only if the applicant has signed an acknowledgement form, and the information is limited to felony convictions (10 years), misdemeanor convictions (5 years) and pending charges. A landlord holding an applicant's criminal history must give the applicant a copy before questioning them about it and if an adverse housing decision is made on that basis.

M.G.L. c. 6, § 172(a)(3), (c)

Landlords may not discriminate in renting based on source of income, which includes Section 8 and public benefits. Tenant selection standards must be reasonable and applied equally and uniformly to all applicants, and may be based on ability to pay rent and ability to care for the apartment and respect others' rights.

Cambridge Municipal Code ch. 14.04 (Fair Housing Ordinance)

A licensed broker or salesperson may contract with either the prospective tenant or the landlord, not both, and any fee must be paid only by the party who originally engaged the broker. A landlord's broker therefore cannot charge the tenant a fee.

M.G.L. c. 112, § 87DDD½, as amended by St. 2025, c. 9, § 43

Before a tenancy begins, a lessor may require payment only of first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit and a lock fee; application, pet, cleaning and amenity fees are forbidden. Licensed brokers may charge fees if they comply with 254 CMR 7 (written disclosure of fee amount, timing and contingency).

M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B; 254 C.M.R. 7