When we looked at the apartment for the first time, we noticed that there was a sign on the door directed at the realtors. It said "please call and give notice before you show the apartment". I wish we had paid attention to that sign.

When you decide to move out, you need to give six months notice. At that point, BRW starts showing the apartment. Over and over and over and over again. With no notice. On Sunday morning at 9 AM. At Wednesday evening at 10 PM. And they don't call first, they just show up at your door.

We got sick of this eventually and decided to refuse entrance to realtors unless they called in advance to show the apartment, which was within our legal rights. We put up a sign much like the one put up by the previous tenants. BRW ripped down our sign and sent us a nasty email. But we had a chain lock, so there was nothing that they could do. So they started showing up without calling while we were at work.

If this wasn't enough, they deducted money from our security deposit when we left, claiming that our apartment was in bad condition. Not true. We spent two days scrubbing everything, convinced that if we didn't, BRW would get revenge for the above by withholding our deposit. Our apartment was SPOTLESS, much cleaner than when we moved in. This is probably why we did get some money back. At the time I thought about hiring legal assistance, but for $200 it just wasn't worth it - this was their plan, I am sure.

To be fair, BRW is good about maintenance, and they respond quickly to requests. However, I have never lived in an apartment that was without hot water so frequently.

The noise was also a problem. The building is filled with young Berklee college of music students, and they party at all hours. We had a drummer living directly above us that used to practice at 1-2 in the morning. People once had a party where they were urinating from the windows.

Rent increases were frequent - $100 per year. Not good if you want a stable housing situation. We eventually moved to a nicer, much less expensive place - it IS possible in Boston!!!

In summary: you can do better. Don't be afraid to spend some time looking.

Manager's Response
From: Manager	Date: 10/23/2008
It our company policy that all realtors notify tenants 24 hours in advance. BRW cannot be held responsible for the actions of independent realtors. Should a realtor attempt to show your unit without proper notice as required by law, please report them to their manager at their respective real estate office. Or you may report them to the RHA to have their license revoked. Further, management is only the acting agent for the owner/landlord. It is the later who makes the final call on the return of all security deposits. BRW enacts the owner's wishes within the confines of the law.

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