Belmont Chambers Cooperative

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Belmont Chambers Coop near public transportation?
Yes, there are lots of options. We’re a five to ten minute walk to Symphony (E line) and Hynes Stations (B, C, and D lines) on the Green Line and Massachusetts Ave on the Orange Line. We’re also near stops for the #1 and #39 bus lines. Back Bay Station in Copley Square is convenient for commuter rail and Amtrak service. And Logan Express from the Prudential Center runs shuttles to the airport for a nominal fee. There are also a number of Bluebikes stations in the neighborhood.

Is there parking behind the building?
There are four spaces behind the building. They are rented to Coop Members first when they become available. At this time we do not have a space available.

Is the building non-smoking?
Yes. Belmont Chambers is a non-smoking building, including individual units.

Does the building have an elevator?
No, it does not. It is a four floor walk up building.

Why aren’t dogs allowed?
The Cooperative pet policy that only cats are allowed with the approval of the Board is based on our experience that cats don’t generally create problems for the general membership. In addition given the building size of the units, and our urban setting the Coop is not an ideal environment for dogs.

If I can’t go to the Open Houses, can I get a private viewing?
Generally we don’t offer private viewings while we’re actively conducting Open Houses. You can sign up for our email reminders here. We feel that Open Houses allow potential applicants a way to meet current members of the Cooperative and get a more realistic feel for the building and how it works. We do schedule our interviews with applicants in the units themselves and are happy to give pre-interview tours to applicants who have submitted an application.

Does it cost anything to apply?
No. The costs of marketing and application processing are absorbed as part of the closing costs.

Can I take both the state rental tax deduction and the federal deduction for mortgage interest and property taxes?
Our understanding is that you can only take the federal deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes. A bill has been proposed in the Legislature to allow cooperative owners to take the rental deduction in addition, but its outcome has not been determined. Given the increases of the standard deduction over the last few years the impact of mortgage interest and property tax deductions are somewhat limited.

What is the financial structure of the building?
See this page for information.

Do I get condo or apartment Insurance?
The building is insured like an apartment building. The owners (the Cooperative) hold insurance similar to what a landlord would be required to have, covering the building and its infrastructure. You would need apartment insurance to cover your personal property, such as furniture and clothing.

Forms and Documents

Below are downloadable documents and application forms. Most are in PDF format. If you don’t have a program that will read PDF files you can download Adobe Reader. They are provided as a convenience for applicants. We make every effort to keep this list up to date but cannot guarantee that they are the latest versions.