THE FIRST STEP IS FOR YOU TO list your apartment!

You can list your apartment with:

Real Estate agents in your market

Craig's list which is a powerful online presence in the Boston Housing scene.  It is free to list on Craigslist.  The downside is that you do all the work yourself: you meet, greet, and screen all of the prospective tenants.

Apartments.com is another effective way for you to list your apartment.  The website is very busy.

ONCE A PROSPECTIVE TENANT PLACES AN APPLICATION AND A ONE MONTH'S DEPOSIT ON THE APARTMENT, you need to carefully consider the application and check their past references. 

Many Landlords talk of the importance of checking not only their current landlord reference, but also the prior landlord reference.  I think this is wise because their past landlord no longer has a financial relationship with the tenant. 

This means that they are more likely to give you an honest opinion of the tenant.

And remember,

The selection Process is critical

Check their Credit Report as well.

When you have checked their past landlord references and their employment references to make sure that they earn enough money, or have enough financial assets to cover the rent.  a common guideline is that rent shouldn't equal more than 33% of a prospective tenants income.

When you are satisfied that they will be a good tenant, you need to get the lease created and signed by both parties asap because in Apartment Rentals,

time is always of the essence

When you create the lease, or tenant at will agreement, make sure that it reflects your interests, and doesn't have any illegal addenda.  You can go to the mass State Portal to find out more about your responsibilities as a Landlord.