Is it true that Massachusetts law allows no more than 3 unrelated people to sign a lease? My landlord refuses to allow a fourth person to sign the lease and will not tell me where she found this "law." We have 4 people interested in living at this apartment and 2 of them will not sign unless all 4 are on the lease.
-- (Posted by Rachael on the Forum Chat Room.)
(The following response was posted by Attorney Lisa Sigman of Wakefield.) Often this issue is controlled by the zoning laws in each city or town, therefore the specifics can vary. Worcester being a college town may have more lenient (or more strict) zoning regulations. But limiting the number of unrelated person living together is not unusual.
Call City Hall and ask to speak with someone dealing with this type of zoning regulations, or if they can direct you to the appropriate regulation. Ultimately, you may have to find a new apartment, or new roommates (it's understandable that your roommates don't want to let one person remain off the lease, because then she isn't liable if she defaults on her portion of the rent).