Need to move ASAP

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

Someone decided that my apartment is in violation of building codes, and I need to move ASAP.

I am not looking for a housemate situation.

My max budget is $1100/mo.

I have a cat.

I need to have MBTA access. Subway preferred, buses OK, commuter rail if absolutely nothing else works out, but I don't drive.

I am quiet, steadily employed, don't smoke or do drugs, and can provide a great reference from my landlord.

So - any ideas? Please feel free to pass this along to anyone you think might know of a suitable place.

Posts of "haw haw haw, what are you smoking, you can't get a place anywhere near Davis for under $2K" are expected, and will be ignored. I've lived here long enough to know that an ethical landlord with an odd space - basement, attic, mother-in-law with shared entrance - will often be reluctant to post it at an affordable price for fear of attracting losers, so I'm here to say, "Here's your Winner, long-term and reliable!" My current landlord will attest to same. And, as explained above, it doesn't have to be in Davis (although staying in Somerville would be delightful!) I'm just getting the word out however I can.

Many thanks!

Comments

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

Medford has places that will fit your requirements. Rent tends to be cheaper there.

[ron_newman]

Could you or your landlord (or both) contact your ward alderman to get this decision delayed or reversed?

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

Great idea! I emailed her.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

Assuming your ward alderman is Gewirtz, you should probably e-mail alderman-at-large Jack Connolly as well. I have a strong sense that Gewirtz is MIA/phoning it in.

[ron_newman]

I'd talk to both. If you want to visit Jack, his insurance office is on College Ave. just north of the T station.

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

Well, the landlord panicked when I told him I'd contacted Katjana Ballantyne, and thinks talking to anyone connected with the city will only get us in worse trouble, so I'll respect his wishes.

For clarity - this is not a "landlord vs. tenant" dispute. This is a landlord AND tenant being screwed by some anonymous person, and working together to mitigate the damage.

[ron_newman]

Did Katjana have any useful advice?

At the very least you should be able to get this order delayed.

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

I just left her a message. The landlord seems to think that my taking any sort of action would be counterproductive, and, again, I'm going to respect his wishes, as I've got my hands full trying to find a place anyway.

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

Kind of along the lines of what Ron is stating, and I know this doesn't help your "I need a new place now search", but were you given a leave right now notice from the city or 14 day notice? I do not know the situation but either of those are not legal and let alone being told to leave close to June 1 really doesn't help you either I'm sure.

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

The legal stuff's beyond me, but I've followed Ron's advice and emailed my alderman. If anyone can help, she can!

[ron_newman]

OK, but what sort of notice did you get, and from whom (the landlord or the city)?

You may want to talk to folks at Greater Boston Legal Services.

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

The landlord got notice from the city. I'll give GBLS a holler when I get the chance. Thanks again!

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

an ethical landlord with an odd space [...] will often be reluctant to post it at an affordable price for fear of attracting losers

... Or the attention of the Inspectional Services Division? :-/

Sorry you're going through this, though. I hope your alderman can help.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

sounds like you live in basement apartment and city found out? how? yes those are going to be cheaper, and utilities are often included. is 1100 before utilities or all in? landlords are usually villified for renting them out, and they come with more risks, but that should be the consumer's choice. and as long as you only need subway access, not the most popular, you'll find something. i'll ask around.

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

As for how someone found out - someone who had a beef with the landlord must have alerted them out of spite. 1100 all in. Thank you! Right now Lowell looks the most likely. I've no problem with Lowell itself, and I can handle a murderous commute, but never seeing my friends would make me sad.

[ifotismeni]

Lowell's got a lot going for it. Not a bad place to end up.

(I always put a plug in for Waltham but the rents have started going up there too.)

[ignote.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry you're going through this. I recently have as well. I was in a place for 1250 in spring hill, and the family who lives upstairs decided to stop renting. Broke my heart, and I had to leave Somerville and get a roommate. =/

I hope something works out!

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yeah, I absolutely love Somerville, but you need to be rich or eligible for public assistance to live there any more. It's really too bad. I'm really trying to avoid jumping back on the housemate scary-go-round, which makes it harder. I really need my home to be a home, rather than a poorly paid third job...

[ignote.livejournal.com]

Trust me, I feel your pain. At 37, I ought not to have a roommate either. Sadly, as a dog-owning librarian I got priced out of all all the trendy/hip/cool neighborhoods.

[lb-lee.livejournal.com]

Sorry, muchacho. The only place I know of is a housemate situation, and it's out in Allston. Good luck; I used to live in Somerville, and chasing rent is agony.

[tlaad.livejournal.com]

My information might be out of date, since I left Somerville in 2012. But I used to live in a studio in Winter Hill owned by Micozzi Management, and my rent was (barely) under 1000. It had bus access to Davis and Sullivan squares. You might consider checking them out--I was very pleased with them when I lived there.

[redcolumbine.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'll have a look.