RentalGuideHome.com is your one-stop Boston area rental site.

Search for a place to rent, or list a rental with us. It's quick, easy, and it works!

Tired of looking for an apartment in the Boston area? Look no further.

(617) 715-9200

Frequently Asked Questions

the following list of frequently asked questions is broken down into two groups: rental seekers (Tenants) and rental owners (Landlords). Please consult the appropriate list for your needs.

TENANTS

Does your service cost anything to use?

No, RentalGuideHome.com is absolutely free to use as a search tool to locate rentals properties.

Where are the rental listings? I can't find them.

Click any of the links labeled Find (on the Home page, in the links at the bottom of the page, and in the header at the top of the page) and you will be taken to a search page where you can enter your search criteria and find matching rental listings. Or just click here: Find Rentals.

When I use your search engine on the Find Rentals page, I don't pull up any listings. What's wrong?

We have lots of listings. One thing you can do to make sure you get some results is to broaden your search. Notice the two radio buttons at the top of the search form: Narrow and Broad. Using these buttons allows you a lot of flexibility when searching.

To conduct a narrow search, click the Narrow button and then enter your search terms. The search engine will only display results that match all of your search terms. To get more results, use fewer search terms.

To conduct a broad search, click the Broad button and then enter your search terms. The search engine will display results that match any of your search terms so you will get more results. To focus your search, use fewer search terms or use the Narrow search setting.

I found an apartment I'm interested in. How can I find out more and get a showing?

If you're interested in a rental, you can contact us in either of two ways: by phone at (617) 715-9200 or via our online inquiry form. We'll be happy to show you any rental available.

I'm using your online inquiry form, but I want to express interest in more than one rental. What should I do?

You can do one of three things:

1. You can call us at (617) 715-9200 and we'll go through the rentals you're interested in on the phone.

2. You can submit an inquiry form for each listing you're interested in.

3. You can submit an inquiry form for the listing you're most interested in, and use the comment area of the inquiry form to note other rentals that might also be of interest to you.

I'm looking for an apartment in a particular area, and I see you don't have many rentals available. What should I do?

Please continue to check the site as rentals are added every day. In addition, feel free to contact us by telephone at (617) 715-9200 and we'll do our best to help you find a rental in the area you're interested in.

What is the List Rental feature for?

Are you a landlord, property manager, or property owner? If so, you can use the List Rental service to send us your rental listings online for posting on the site. If you're looking for a home or apartment to rent, List Rental is not for you. Please use Find Rental instead, to locate apartments and rental properties that fit your needs.

Am I under any obligation to RentalGuideHome.com if I use your online service?

Using our service places you are under no obligation whatsoever to rent through us unless you so desire.

How will your protect my privacy?

If you submit an inquiry form to us, we will use your contact information to contact you. We will not share your data with any other third-parties except as needed to help you obtain the rental you desire. Please read our Privacy Statement for more.

Is RentalGuideHome.com part of a national chain or are you local to the Boston area?

RentalGuideHome.com is a service of RE/MAX Destiny, an independent real estate agency located in Cambridge, MA. We are not part of a chain. Click here to visit our parent site.

Is an application and credit check required before I take an apartment?

Yes, it is standard procedure that once you have decided to take a unit you would complete an application allowing us to do a complete credit and reference check on you.

What if I am not a US citizen?

Under those circumstances we would need a letter of employment, visa, passport, bank references and any other pertinent information proving who you are. Please understand every landlord requires different information.

What types of leases are there?

There are many types of leases but the most commonly used is called a "Simplified Fixed Term". This merely indicates that occupancy will be complete on the end date of the lease unless specified by the signees that it is to be renewed. Of course, there is also a "Tenant at Will" which generally means a lease is good for 30 day increments. Needless to say there are others but these are the most common.

If I decide I want one of your apartments, how long is the process for procuring it?

Once you have identified a space that you like and all of the required paperwork is completed, we could virtually have you sign a lease within 24 hours. With our many years of experience we can really make it that simple for you.

How far in advance should I be looking for an apartment?

Most apartments come available 30 to 60 days prior to their vacancy. For example if you are looking for September, then June is a reasonable time to be looking. Of course, many landlords know far in advance of their vacancies, that is why it is so important for you to be working with experienced Real Estate agents like us. We generally have the knowledge of those landlords and can sometimes actually find apartments for some folks in April for September. Remember also, The metropolitan Boston Area is a very academically driven residency. There is a big influx of apartments from May to September meaning it is a very busy period for apartment hunting.

Do I have to pay a fee?

In some cases tenants do pay fees. But if you choose not to, we have enough listings that we can find you an apartment that is fee free.

LANDLORDS

Do I have to pay a fee?

In the old days, of course, all tenants paid the fee. That was when we had less than 5% vacancies in the area. Nowadays, tenants are much more savvy shoppers. Most tenants will not take an apartment that they have to pay a fee for. They will move on because they know there is something else out there to suit them. In summary, the easiest way to rent your apartment is to agree to pay the real estate fee.

Why should I list with you rather than anyone else?

We at RE/MAX Destiny are experienced brokers. We have been in the Cambridge area for a very long time. We are extremely familiar with the metropolitan area. With 90,000 agents throughout the world, there is bound to be an agent with a client who is relocating or wishes to rent before buying. In our office alone we have 35 agents with many years of experience. We also work very closely with other realtors in the area. If, for some odd reason, we do not have the tenant for you, we will find one.

Is there any other fee besides the Real Estate Fee?

No. Once you have given us all of your guidelines, we then take on the responsiblity of finding the perfect tenant for your property. We will only present them to you after they have made an application and a deposit. All you really need to do is show up for the lease signing.