Frequently Asked Questions

You are responsible to meet the obligations in your lease. Should you need to break your lease, you are responsible for finding a replacement resident and for paying any costs to release the apartment. This includes, but is not limited to, advertising costs, cleaning costs, unpaid rent during vacancy, and so on.

As a lease signer, you are obligated to pay your rent regardless of whether or not you reside in the apartment.

Please contact the office to plan for releasing. We will assist you in this process, but it is your responsibility to secure a new tenant and pay for any costs incurred. Any new resident will be subject to a screening process.

We want to make sure that paying for housing won't be a burden.

All applicants who are relying exclusively on their credit and income must provide proof of income. Applicants will be asked to submit three months of bank statements or pay stubs, as well as their employer’s contact information. 

We do not conduct credit checks for student applicants. However, all undergraduate students must submit a notarized Parental Guarantor Form completed by a parent or guardian. 

All of our buildings are smoke-free & Vape-Free facilities. This means that you must not smoke inside your apartment, or in the common spaces in any Arkoa Property Services managed facility.

Please respect your neighbors by not smoking near windows or doors, and always dispose of cigarette butts responsibly. Disposing of cigarette butts on the ground is littering.

This could be yes, or could be no! Please read the unit description associated to the apartment in question. Most of our apartments are unique, which means that which utilities are included will vary, too.

The first month’s rent payment is non-refundable and due when the lease is signed. Your last month's rent and security deposit, however, are a bit more complicated.

Arkoa Property Services requires the first month's rent, last month's rent, and security deposit to be paid in full before move-in.

Since your last month's rent is a pre-payment for your final month of occupancy, if you broke lease but provided a credit-worthy tenant as a replacement, then you could receive a refund for your last month's rent. This depends on what other costs were incurred during re-leasing, but as long as your landlord is "made whole," your last month's rent may be refundable.

Your security deposit is held on your behalf, so it is inherently refundable to you after move-out. That said, deductions from your security deposit may be taken depending on outstanding balances from tenancy or the condition of your apartment after move-out. If you want your security deposit refunded in full, please communicate with your property manager.

When you move into a new apartment, you need to ensure that the utility accounts are placed in your or your housemate's name. Utility companies will turn off service if they are aware that a new occupant is in an apartment who has not yet assumed ownership of the utility accounts.

To ensure uninterrupted service, contact your utility providers before the start of your lease. They will allow you to select a date in the future when the account ownership will be switched into your name.

Here are the most likely utility providers in your area:

Eversource: natural gas utility that may provide service for your heat, hot water, or stove.    

Phone: 1-800-592-2000

National Grid: electric utility that may provide service for your heat or hot water as well.

Phone: 1-800-322-3223

Charter Spectrum: internet service provider that also provides landline telephone and cable television services.

Phone: 1-877-906-9121

Please contact us at rentals@arkoapropertyservices.com or 508-799-7655 to schedule an apartment viewing. As a courtesy to the current residents, we ask that you request showings at least 24 hours in advance.

To secure your new apartment, you must pay your first month's rent at lease signing. This will remove the apartment from the available listings, and the unit will no longer be shown to prospective residents.

Arkoa Property Services requires the first month's rent, last month's rent, and security deposit to be paid in full before move-in.

First Month's Rent

• Due at lease signing
• Pre-payment for the first month of occupancy

Last Month's Rent

• Due within 60-days of lease signing, or on the first day of occupancy, whichever comes first
• Pre-payment for the final month of occupancy
• Payment carries over if you renew your lease

Security Deposit

• Due within 60-days of lease signing, or on the first day of occupancy, whichever comes first
• Equal to one full month's rent
• Held by landlord on behalf of resident
• Refundable in-part or in-full based on condition of outstanding account balance and condition of apartment at move-out

Utility companies should be contacted before you move in to establish an account(s) in your name. To ensure continuation of service, the start date should be the first day of your lease.

Eversource- Gas- Heat, Hot Water, Stove    Phone: 1-800-592-2000

National Grid- Electric   

Phone: 1-800-322-3223

Charter Spectrum - Cable and Internet

Phone:  1-877-906-9121 

NO DISH NETWORK ALLOWED

All tenants must submit an online application which includes personal and emergency contact information. You will be asked to consent to a credit and/or background check if you do not have a guarantor.

Please contact the office to schedule the day and time to move in.  For planning purposes, keys will be distributed after 12:00 on the move in day.

Call our 24/7 emergency line at 508-799-7655 in the event of a maintenance emergency. This includes but is not limited to, flooding, leaks, heating system failure, and tenant/owner lockout.

If there are no vacant properties listed on our website, please reach out to us at rentals@arkoapropertyservices.com to be added to our mailing list for future vacancies and to be informed as soon as we have a property available.

Yes! To pay rent online, please go to the Residents Portal. Not only can you pay rent, but you can submit maintenance requests here and view your account from anywhere, 24/7.

Rent is always due on the first day of the month. Rental payments must be submitted through your online portal, a secure website. Cash or checks are not accepted.

Our lease lengths are typically 12 months. Contact us for more information or if you would like to request a different length!

Clean, Clean and Clean!  Your apartment is expected to be returned in the condition in which it was given to you. Most security deposit deductions are made due to a lack of cleaning, especially the kitchen, appliances and bathrooms.

Please provide your forwarding address at the time of the final walk-through. Your check will be mailed to your forwarding address within 30 days of lease termination.

We are more than happy to accommodate subleasing, should the need arise, under the following conditions:

• No advertising sub-lease on Craigslist
• At least 2 months in duration
• Must be approved by the Office

Once you’ve decided on your final day, please call the office to schedule a walk-through of the apartment, which only one roommate needs to attend.  The refunded amount of your security deposit will depend upon the condition in which your apartment is left. Failure to participate in the walk-through will forfeit your right to dispute the refund.

Absolutely! All rental payments are executed through our secure tennant site, so anyone can make payments on your behalf…even you!  We also require that all undergraduate students submit a notarized Parental Guarantor Form completed by a parent or guardian. By signing this form, your parent or guardian, become responsible for your rent in the event you cannot.

Satellite dishes are not allowed. Please refer to your lease or contact the office regarding any other alterations to the property.

All rent is due on the first day of each month. In Massachusetts, the landlord is not allowed to charge a late fee until rent is 30-days late.

We, therefore, do not charge late fees when rent is in arrears, as we do not tolerate late rent. We will issue a 14-Day Notice to Quit for Nonpayment of Rent on the tenth day of the month that rent is late. We will initiate eviction proceedings if the nonpayment has not been cured within ten days of issuing the notice.

If a resident has not received a Notice to Quit for Nonpayment of Rent in the prior 12-months, he or she may cure the nonpayment and nullify the Notice to Quit; however, if a tenant has received a Notice to Quit for Nonpayment of Rent in the prior twelve months, the landlord may still initiate eviction proceedings even if rent has been paid.  

Roommates are jointly responsible for ensuring that rent is paid in full each month. Should a roommate fail to pay their portion, the remaining roommates are responsible for the balance owed. Your landlord will issue a 14-day notice to quit for nonpayment of rent, regardless of whether you have paid-in-full.

We work very hard to ensure that all of our apartments are thoroughly cleaned and maintained.  On the rare occasion, we do miss a thing or two.  We strongly encourage you to schedule a walk through with our office within 10 days of occupancy.  We will go through the apartment with you and note any items that need repair and well as document the condition in which you received the apartment.

Our residents can usually expect a full refund unless there is damage beyond normal wear and tear. Please call the property management office to discuss your specific situation.

Unfortunately, mice are not uncommon in an urban setting, especially when the weather begins to get colder. They are also attracted to food and crumbs left around. Should you spot a mouse, remember that the mouse is probably more afraid of you! Contact  us through your portal and we will have your apartment/building treated accordingly.

We will be very happy to renew your lease!  Let us know as soon as you decide and we will send out a renewal agreement.  Your deposits will carry over to the new lease so you will not have to resubmit any deposits.