The Lease Video Overview

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The Rental Process

Step 1: View apartment: Decide if the apartment suits your needs.

Step 2: Complete rental application: ($25 fee per application). A one month deposit must accompany application(s). This deposit must be in cleared funds* (money order or bank check or brokers check).
NOTE: we do not accept credit cards or cash.

Step 3: Approval Process: Heath Properties will view your credit report and check your references. This may take up to two business days.

Step 4: Lease Signing: Once you are approved for the apartment you must set up a lease signing. All prospective tenants must sign the lease within TWO days from the date of approval. Co-signer forms must be notarized and the original notarized copy must arrive in our office within one week from the lease signing.

Step 5: Payments: Payments must be made in accordance with your prelease agreement signed at the lease signing. Each payment must be made by cleared funds* (money order or bank check or brokers check). Payments are to be made in this order:

1) Application fee
2) First month's rent
3) Last month's rent
4) Key Deposit
5) Security Deposit
6) Realtor's fee

Step 6: Contact Heath Properties to make sure everything is complete.

Please note: We will not release keys to anyone if any of the above steps have not been completed. All monies and forms must be completed by specified dates in order to secure the apartment. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO MEET THE SPECIFIED DEADLINES YOU MUST CONTACT THE OFFICE.

* If you are renting an apartment for September 1st we will only accept a personal check until August 1st.

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Subletting Policy

1. Your sublet must provide us with completed rental applications and a check for $25.00.

2. All current roomates, if any, must submit to our office in writing a letter of consent, regarding their agreement to live with the new roomate.

3. You will be notified by the office if your sublet has been approved.

4. Your name(s) remain on the lease. You and your guarantors are responsible if your sublet does not pay rent. You are also responsible for any and all damages caused by your sublet and their guests.

5. In the case that Heath Properties provides written consent allowing tenants to change a roomate during a lease period, a non-refundable fee of $100.00 is charged. This fee does not include applicable application fees.

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Lease Break Policy

1. In the case that Heath Properties provides written consent to terminate a lease early, a $250.00 non-refundable re-rental fee will be charged. This fee does not include costs associated with the following: Rental shorts; Brokers' fees; Advertising costs and/or Application fees.

2. You are required to pay a $250 re-rental fee to cover additional paperworkby this office IF a new lease is signed.

3. You are required to reimburse Heath Properties for Real Estate Broker Fees (if any) to re-rent your unit. Typically this fee is equal to one month's rent.

4. You are required to pay monthly rental payments on time (whether the unit is occupied by you or not) through the term of your lease and any extensions thereof.

5. If the unit rents for less than your current monthly rent, then you are responsible for the difference through the term of your lease and any extensions thereof.

6. You are required to keep current on all utility expenses (whether the unit is occupied by you or not) through the term of your lease. This is especially important during winter months. If pipes freeze as a result of your negligence you are responsible for all costs associated with repairing damages and replacing those items that cannot be repaired.

7. You are required to reimburse the Landlord or its agents for all advertising costs to re-rent the unit.

8. If you vacate the unit, you are responsible for reimbursing the landlord for any and all costs needed to restore the unit to a "clean and habitable condition with no defects" to market the same to new clients.

Please call the office if you have any further questions. Lease breaks and sublets are not recommended. Heath Properties may assist in re-renting the apartment with the understanding there will most likely be costs associated. We strongly recommend you place your own advertisements in the paper and on the internet as well as post flyers to assist in securing a new tenant.

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Check In Procedure

Notice concerning all New Tenants for September Turnovers

Keys will be ready for pick up at our office between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM on September 1st. Our inspectors will be checking apartments and changing locks from midnight on August 31st until 12 noon on September 1st.

Keys are not guaranteed before this time however you may contact our office to inquire if they are ready in advance.

Heath Properties will be closing promptly at 4:00 PM on September 1st and will not re-open until 9 AM the following business day. If you have not picked up your keys by 4:00 PM on September 1st you will not be able to access your apartment until the following business day.

Our inspectors will have scheduled cleaning, painting, and carpet cleaning/replacement by the time you have picked up your keys. The scheduled work will commence soon after September 1st but there is no way to guarantee that these vendors will make it to your apartment on or before September 1st. This work WILL be performed but may take place in the upcoming weeks. Please be patient.

As stated in your lease, work will be completed after the move-in date. Maintenance personnel may need to gain access to your apartment over the labor day weekend and during the upcoming weeks. Please expect them. Unfortunately, we cannot make specific appointments.

Maintenance Request Form
Use this form to report any maintenance items that need to be repaired upon your move-in. We require a complete list of maintenance items so that our personnel can effectively take care of all items at once. Please wait at least a few days before submitting your list, as you will most likely find additional items in the days following your move in.

This form can be printed and mailed, faxed or dropped off to our office.

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Important Phone Numbers

Coehlo Cleaners: (617) 233-4371

Clean Health Carpet Care: (781) 598-6000

NSTAR Electric: (800) 592-2000

KEYSPAN Gas: (781) 751-3000

Devaney Fuel Oil: (617) 323-8383

VERIZON Phone, Boston: (617) 956-8000, Jamaica Plain: (617) 737-7530

Comcast Television
Main Number: (617) 787-6616
Free installation for Heath Properties tenants: (617) 279-1958 (John)

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Our Favorite Banks

Cambridge Savings Bank: (617) 441-4396
Mercantile Bank: (617) 247-2800
Wainwright Bank: (617) 927-2200

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Check Out Procedure

Notice Concerning Return of Security Deposit

Your current lease expires on August 31st at 5 PM. Please follow the "Check Out Procedures" below. We recommend that you hire a professional cleaner to clean your apartment in order to protect your security deposit from any deductions. Typically the most expensive deductions are the result of leaving furniture behind, not patching holes in walls, not painting over unusual wear and tear, and damage to floors.

It is unlawful to reside in the apartment beyond your lease termination date and time. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you have not reserved a moving truck/ van please do so immediately! September 1st is the busiest moving day of the year.

If you have a balance on your account please make sure that it is paid prior to move-out. Your lease states that you may not use your security deposit as rent prior to your lease termination date. This policy is strictly enforced. Security deposit deductions that amount to more than your security deposit will be put on each tenant and cosigner's credit report until the matter is resolved.

Check-out Procedures

The following checklist of items MUST be completed prior to your departure on August 31st. Failure to fulfill the outlined requirements may result in deductions from your security deposit and delays in processing it.

A charge of aproximately $50.00 per item will be deducted with the exception of steam cleaning which is aproximately $90.00 per room. Furniture removal will be at a rate of $500.00 per hour, not including dumping charges. Damages will be repaired by Heath Properties at a rate of $50.00 per hour plus materials. Tenants will be charged market rates for contractors.

1) Fill out the Forwarding Address form. This form can be submitted online or printed and mailed, faxed or dropped off to our office. Please note that we require your forwarding address in writing and cannot accept this information by phone.

2 ) Working lightbulbs must be installed in all fixtures.

3 ) Attached please find a copy of our Move-Out checklist. Please follow the list closely and make sure that each item is addressed in order to ensure that you do not receive any deductions from your security deposit.

4) All fingerprints and smudges must be removed from the walls, doors and windows. Nail holes should be caulked with the proper building material and color.

5) All trash and belongings must be removed from the apartment and common areas including the basement and stairwells. Items should be placed in proper containers and taken with you. No furniture or food or belongings of any kind should be left in the apartment or building. You will be charged for items left on the sidewalk for removal.

8) Fireplaces must be cleaned and ashes removed. Be sure hot ashes are properly distinguished prior to disposing.

9) Apartment and mailbox keys should be left on the kitchen counter and the front door should remain unlocked. Your key deposit will not be returned unless all keys (including mailbox keys) are provided to Heath Properties on or before the lease termination date.

10) Please contact the office upon your departure at (617) 266-1168 ext 220. Be sure to leave your name, apartment, date and time you are vacating. If you are leaving prior to August 31st, please notify the office with details immediately.

11) As stated in your lease, you must submit a forwarding address to Heath Properties prior to August 31st. Per your lease agreement, only one check will be issued per apartment. The check will be made payable to the individual named first on the lease.

12) If you have caused damage to the premises please make arrangements to have the item(s) repaired before your tenancy terminates. Due to demand, repair costs tend to be higher during the month of September.

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