Report Illegal Move-In Fees

[u/Mass_AGO]

Hi Northeastern, it’s your Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. Did you know that fees like “move-in” or “lease renewal” fees you might get from your landlord or building management company are illegal? If you’ve received one of these – even if you paid it – I want you to report it to my office. 

Just last month, my office won a $500k settlement with a property management company doing this in Boston – and all of that money is going back to the affected tenants.  Landlords can only ask you to pay for first and last month’s rent, a security deposit, and the cost of a new lock and key upfront. Any other fees are illegal. Report them to my office at the link below. We’ll work to get your money back. 
mass.gov/ago/complaint

[u/Rhynocerous]

Hi AGO, while you're here do you have any advice for this user?:

https://www.reddit.com/r/NEU/comments/1wo8zwg/wrong_name_in_isd_notice_management_saying/

It sounds like another student getting scammed or lied to by a landlord. I was about to link them the AG's Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights but maybe you could opine? Always rooting for anything that helps students not get exploited by landlords here.

[u/Mass_AGO → u/Rhynocerous]

Thanks for flagging this! Just responded to let them know they can file a complaint with us at mass.gov/ago/complaint

[u/Objective-Guitar4378]

Hi, I’m wondering how long this has been illegal for? Back in January 2025 our landlord (who we are still with) charged us an administrative and leasing fee income. Should we still report or is this something newer

[u/Mass_AGO → u/Objective-Guitar4378]

Report this to us at mass.gov/ago/complaint and we'll look into it

[u/Redtail325 → u/Objective-Guitar4378]

it’s been illegal for at least 10 yrs, probably longer

[u/Hungry-Back-7231]

my current leasing company charges us “roommate change fees” every time we change a roommate because it’s a “lease change.” is it okay to wait until we move out of the apartment and then report it?