Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts
We have signed a lease for an apartment in Massachusetts, we are due to move in on 9/3/10. We have provided the landlord with last month's rent and a security deposit, as well as a signed receipt for the monies. Now, are we entiteld to the key to the apartment? We have been dealing with a realtor, and we have not had any luck getting him to bring the new landlord together with us so that we can meet him as well as get the key to the apartment. Is this legal? Do we have grounds to be concerned? HELP?!
3 Answers from Attorneys
You are not entitled to a key until September 3. A wise landlord won't give you the key in advance as you could move in before your tenancy begins.
I agree with the previous attorney. You are entitled to a key upon the commencement of your tenancy. It appears as though the commencement of your tenancy is September 3, and I would suggest that you are entitled to a key on that date.
It is you who is entitled to a receipt and several other documents regarding the security deposit. Retain an attorney to review any lease you signed and insure you receive all documents you as a tenant should recive. Good luck!