Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether Chestnut Hill Realty advertises Massachusetts apartments using a “base rent” that excludes mandatory fees tenants ultimately must pay.
Chestnut Hill Realty manages thousands of apartments in Massachusetts. Its rental listings have described advertised prices as the monthly “base rent” while stating that the displayed amount does not include utilities or certain optional and required fees.
Massachusetts pricing regulations that took effect in September 2025 generally require rental advertisements to present the total mandatory monthly price at the initial presentation of price. Required fees generally should not first appear later in the application or leasing process.
Chestnut Hill Realty’s pricing information has also referenced a required lock-change fee without specifying its amount and has stated that additional costs may be disclosed in the lease agreement.
Migliaccio & Rathod is investigating whether Chestnut Hill Realty renters were initially shown one monthly price but later learned that they would have to pay additional mandatory charges to rent the apartment.
Renters May Have Experienced:
- Seeing a Chestnut Hill Realty apartment advertised at a particular monthly rent;
- Later learning that the advertised amount represented only “base rent”;
- Being required to pay additional monthly charges not included in the advertised price;
- Learning about mandatory fees only after beginning the application process;
- Being charged a lock-change or other move-in fee; or
- Discovering additional required costs in the lease or shortly before move-in.
Potential Claims May Include:
- Failure to disclose the total mandatory rental price;
- Hidden or inadequately disclosed rental fees;
- Misleading advertised rental prices;
- Unfair or deceptive trade practices; and
- Violations of Massachusetts consumer-protection laws.
Signs You May Be Affected:
- You rented or applied for a Chestnut Hill Realty apartment in Massachusetts;
- The advertised price was described as “base rent”;
- Your required monthly payment was higher than the rent initially advertised;
- You learned about mandatory charges only after beginning the rental process;
- You paid a required lock-change, service, utility, administrative, or similar charge; or
- You have advertisements, applications, leases, or payment records showing the additional charges.
If you have encountered these issues, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call.