Free Massachusetts Rental Application Form

Prepare a printable Massachusetts rental application form to verify potential tenants. Tailor your application to Massachusetts’s statutes now with all the critical details required by law.

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Table of Contents:

What Is a Massachusetts Residential Rental Application
Massachusetts Rental Applications by Type
What to Include in a Massachusetts Rental Application Form
Massachusetts Rental Application Laws
Related Documents
Massachusetts Rental Application Sample
FAQs About Massachusetts Rental Application Form

What Is a Massachusetts Residential Rental Application

A Massachusetts rental application is a legal document used by landlords and property managers to assess and choose an appropriate tenant for a rental property. They are sometimes known by other common names such as:

Tenant applications
Rental lease applications
Lease applications
Application for a rental property

Massachusetts Rental Applications by Type

There are two main types of rental applications in Massachusetts. You must select the most relevant one depending on the type of property being rented, local laws, and the type of leasing agreement that will be used.

	Standard/General Rental Application	Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application
Which landlords can use it?	Private landlords	Landlords with Section 8 housing
What kind of tenants is it designed for?	Any	Tenants eligible for subsidized housing

What to Include in a Massachusetts Rental Application Form

Both landlords and tenants need to provide specific information on a Massachusetts rental application. This is so it complies with state laws and allows an informed decision to be made. The details each party should provide can be seen below.

Data the Tenant Can Be Asked for	Essential Disclosures from the Landlord
Personal data	The property’s condition
Rental history	Potential hazards to the tenant
Employment details	Shared utility arrangements
Income information	Rent control rules
Credit history	Smoking policy
Personal references	The security deposit
Permission for background checks	Associated fees

The information offered by either the landlord or tenant will vary from application to application. However, it is vitally important that both sides get the clearest picture possible about the nature of the lease before signing an agreement.

Massachusetts Rental Application Laws

Massachusetts has many rules and statutes regulating its housing market. These must be fully considered when preparing an application for rental properties in the state.

Application Fee

A landlord in Massachusetts is not permitted to charge an application fee. It does not make a difference if it is refundable or not.

On the other hand, in compliance with § 254 CMR 7.00(1), real estate brokers and agents are permitted to charge a fee for rental applications (Section 15B(1)(b)).

Security Deposit

Landlords in Massachusetts can charge up to the cost of one month’s rent for security deposits (Section 15B(1)(b)(iii)).

The tenant must dive the security deposit within 10 days from the beginning of the tenancy.

Once you receive the deposit, you must provide the tenant with a statement of the condition of the property.

You are required to put the deposit in a separate interest-bearing account in a bank found in Massachusetts.

Housing Discrimination Law

In Massachusetts, there is no specific state law relating to housing discrimination. However, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is in place. The FHA states that it is illegal to discriminate based on the following characteristics:

Race
Color
Nationality
Religion
Sex
Familial status
Disability
Criminal history

As a consequence, you are not allowed to ask for any of these details on a Massachusetts Rental Application form nor to include them in the decision-making process.

Notice of Eligibility

You must disclose the screening criteria used during the application process, as well as anything that could lead to a refusal. To make sure individuals understand this in advance of the application, they must provide a signature of acknowledgment on the application.

Consent Credit Check

The Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) stipulates that potential tenants must agree to any credit checks you require. To show they consent, they must provide written acknowledgment on the application form.

Massachusetts Rental Application Sample

Looking over a readily prepared template of a rental application can make it much easier to create your own. Review our document sample below to get more familiar with what your application form will look like when it’s completed.

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FAQs About Massachusetts Rental Application Form

Understanding what your Massachusetts rental application can and cannot do is vital before you create your own from scratch. Find out more about how these screening documents work and what you need to know when writing them.

Why Do I Need a Massachusetts Rental Application?

A Massachusetts rental application gives you the opportunity to learn more about your tenant before committing to a legal contract with them. The application lets you collect data on your prospective rental resident so you may carry out important checks to:

Review their rental history
Verify their employment and income
Learn of any criminal history or credit issues

What Are Credit References on a Massachusetts Rental Application?

A credit reference is a document that provides information on the credit history of an applicant for a rental property. This may be requested on Massachusetts rental applications so that landlords can properly assess whether a potential tenant will be able to meet the rental payment schedule.

Do I Need to Ask for a Social Security Number in a Massachusetts Rental Application?

It is not usually necessary to request a Social Security number (SSN) on a Massachusetts rental application. However, you may consider requesting this data from an applicant if you want to run certain background checks on them.

Additionally, you must always get written permission from the tenant on the application form if you want to use their SSN. When you handle someone else’s Social Security information you always need consent first and must disclose that you will properly handle this data.

These days, most screening companies can obtain the applicant’s SSN directly by requesting it securely from the applicant via email. Remember, however, that you must always inform the potential tenant and have their permission before you run any background checks.

You are only a few steps away from your own Massachusetts Rental Application!

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Preview of your Massachusetts Rental Application

RENTAL APPLICATION

The following sections must be completed by the Applicant. Please note that, except for married couples, each occupant who is 18 years of age or older has to complete a separate application to rent.

Shall the Applicant have any question regarding the rental unit, please contact _________ at:
Email Address: _________
Phone: _________

The Applicant is a: (check one)

( ) Tenant
( ) Tenant with co-tenant(s)
( ) Guarantor/co-signor

PROPERTY INFORMATION

Application to rent property at the following address:

_________ , _________, MA _________

Type of Property: House
Date of Availability: _________
Proposed Move-In Date: _________

APPLICANT'S INFORMATION

Please attach a copy of your Driver's License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.

FULL NAME OF APPLICANT: ________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ (Optional. For purpose of obtaining credit reports. Age discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law)
Driver's license number or any valid ID: _________________ State: ______________ Expires: _________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Home Phone: (______) ___________ Alternative Phone: (______) ___________

CO-APPLICANT'S INFORMATION (if applicable)

Please attach a copy of your Driver's License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.

FULL NAME OF CO-APPLICANT: ________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ (Optional)
Driver's license number or any valid ID: _________________ State: ______________ Expires: _________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Home Phone: (______) ___________ Alternative Phone: (______) ___________

OTHER OCCUPANTS' INFORMATION (if applicable)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)

EMERGENCY CONTACT

In case of emergency, please contact:

Emergency contact #1: ____________________________________________________
Relationship: _______________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________

Emergency contact #2: ____________________________________________________
Relationship: _______________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pets

Pets are not allowed in the rental Property. However, as provided by law, a Service Animal(s) is not considered a pet, and every individual with a disability shall have a right to have a Service Animal(s) on the Property.

Waterbeds

The Landlord prohibits the use of waterbeds on the rental unit.

Smoking and Vaping

The Landlord does not allow smoking or vaping in the rental unit.

CONSENT & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By signing this Residential Rental Application, the Applicant accepts and agrees to the following:

(i)	This is only an application to rent and does not guarantee that the Applicant will be selected as a tenant of the premises.
(ii)	The Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent could receive multiple rental applications for the premises and will only select the most qualified individual.
(iii)	Applicant represents the above information to be true and complete.

Applicant hereby authorizes the Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent to do the following:

(i)	Verify all of the personal information provided above.
(ii)	Obtain a credit report, as well as other reports, on the Applicant.
(iii)	Applicant further authorizes the Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent to disclose information to the owners or agents of the premises with whom the Applicant intends to have a rental relationship.

Does the Applicant wish to receive a copy of the reports that we may obtain?

Yes ( ) No ( )

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Landlord does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any approval/disapproval of this application.

_______________________________	___________
Applicant's Signature	Date

_______________________________	___________
Co-Applicant's Signature	Date