Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating whether tenants at Harbor Point in Boston have been charged a $175 mandatory lock-change fee that exceeds the actual cost permitted under Massachusetts law.
Harbor Point is managed by Corcoran Jennison Companies. Current fee information for the property identifies a required $175 lock-change fee charged per unit at move-in.
Massachusetts law generally permits a landlord to charge an incoming tenant for the actual purchase and installation cost of a key and lock, but does not permit a landlord to use a lock charge as an additional general move-in fee.
Migliaccio & Rathod is investigating whether Harbor Point tenants routinely paid $175 for a lock change, what locks, keys, equipment, and services were actually provided in exchange for that charge, and whether the amount collected exceeded the property’s actual permitted cost.
Renters May Have Experienced:
- Being charged $175 when moving into Harbor Point;
- Seeing the charge described as a lock-change or similar fee;
- Paying the same standardized fee as other incoming tenants;
- Receiving ordinary keys or locks despite paying the $175 charge;
- Being required to pay the fee as a condition of moving in; or
- Receiving little or no explanation of how the $175 amount was calculated.
Potential Claims May Include:
- Charging more than the actual permitted cost of a key and lock;
- Improper mandatory move-in fees;
- Unfair or deceptive trade practices;
- Unjust enrichment; and
- Violations of Massachusetts landlord-tenant and consumer-protection laws.
Signs You May Be Affected:
- You currently live or previously lived at Harbor Point in Boston;
- You paid approximately $175 for a lock change when moving in;
- The charge was mandatory;
- You received standard keys or locks in exchange for the fee;
- You were not provided an explanation of the actual cost underlying the charge; or
- Your lease, ledger, receipt, or move-in paperwork shows the $175 fee.
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.