Roommate Accounts are for people seeking a roommate or to post an ad for a room for rent in their home where they share the kitchen, bathroom, and other common areas. Find out how to sign up by clicking “How It Works”.
Landlord Accounts are for property owners, property managers, or housing providers who want to post a free listing for a property that they do not reside or live in.
Agency Accounts are for case managers and housing advocates who connect members with landlords. We will have these private dashboards available to case managers soon.
HousingMatch.org is Massachusetts’ first nonprofit, membership-based, shared housing network that is designed specifically to provide safe, affordable, housing options for the most vulnerable people; like, low-income families with children, the elderly and disabled. We offer both security and privacy. Security because we require everyone who shared housing to get their background check reports before they join, and privacy because only members who join the network can view the ads that are posted online. We were formed by housing advocates, social workers, and case managers who understand the needs of our most vulnerable people. Join HousingMatch.org today and give generously, as we can only offer memberships free of charge because of your donations.
HousingMatch.org brings back the oldest form of networking on the planet- communities supporting communities. Shared housing is not new. People have been sharing housing, childcare, household chores and thriving in extended shared housing networks for ages. These are difficult times. With more budget cuts, fewer services are available and our children are the first to suffer. Our vision is to provide a safe, affordable, long term solution to the current housing crisis with supported shared housing arrangements by networking agencies, families and individuals.
This form is useful when there are multiple renters whose names are on the lease.
This form is useful for when there is one roommate whose name is on the lease and another is a co-tenant who is sub-leasing.
These are some suggested questions you can ask while interviewing families or individuals for shared housing arrangements.
This is a 20 page downloadable pdf from the Mass.gov website that provides basic information for both landlords and tenants.
This is a 74 page downloadable pdf with landlord tenant information and advice.
Check the Resources section for sample roommate contracts.
Lease terms (how long the contract last), depends on what you agree on: is it for one year, six months, or month-to-month?
You can include childcare arrangements where you agree to provide childcare regularly for each other free of cost, or you can use childcare to pay for groceries or utilities.
Make sure you include agreements about parenting styles in order to avoid conflict. For example and agreement that children go to bed at a certain hour or that they have dietary restrictions
Special instructions for limitations on guests and visitors are important additions to a roommate contract. Include a limitation on how many overnight guests are allowed. Note that a standard rent contract only allows for overnight guests to stay 2 weeks in a calendar year, if not stated in the lease. Don’t risk a lease violation by having too many overnight guests.