Our Scoring Methodology

RateMyPlace uses an evidence-based scoring system grounded in public health research. Our methodology prioritizes health and safety factors that have documented associations with tenant wellbeing.

Research-Based Survey Items

Our 27-item survey is adapted from validated housing quality assessment instruments used in public health research:

Observational Housing Quality Scale (OHQS)

Developed by Krieger & Higgins for systematic housing condition assessment. The OHQS provides a standardized method for evaluating physical housing deficiencies linked to health outcomes, including structural problems, pest infestation, and moisture issues.

Krieger & Higgins (2002), American Journal of Public Health

Physical Housing Quality Scale (PHQS)

A comprehensive instrument for assessing housing quality dimensions including building systems, safety features, and environmental conditions. The PHQS has been validated across diverse housing types and urban contexts.

Jacobs et al. (2009), Environmental Health Perspectives

By drawing from these established instruments, RateMyPlace captures the housing conditions that research has shown to matter most for tenant health and wellbeing.

How Scores Are Calculated

Each review collects ratings across 27 individual items organized into three domains:

Unit Quality

10 items covering structural integrity, systems, and livability

Based on OHQS interior assessment domains

Building

9 items covering common areas, security, and amenities

Based on PHQS building-level indicators

Landlord

8 items covering responsiveness, communication, and practices

Based on WHO LARES management factors

Rather than treating all items equally, we apply health/safety weighting to items with documented impacts on tenant health outcomes.

Health & Safety Weighting

Based on epidemiological research, certain housing conditions have stronger associations with health outcomes. We weight these items more heavily in our overall scores:

1.5x Weight

Pest Control

Pest infestations (cockroaches, rodents, bed bugs) are strongly associated with asthma, allergic reactions, and disease transmission. Cockroach allergen is a major trigger for childhood asthma in urban environments.

Reference: Krieger & Higgins (2002), American Journal of Public Health
1.5x Weight

Mold & Moisture

Visible mold and dampness are associated with a 1.5-3.5x increased odds ratio for respiratory symptoms, including asthma, wheeze, and upper respiratory infections. This is one of the most well-documented housing-health relationships.

Reference: Jacobs et al. (2009), Environmental Health Perspectives
1.3x Weight

Structural Integrity

Structural deficiencies including damaged floors, walls, and ceilings pose direct injury risks from falls, collapses, and accidents. Poor structural condition also often indicates deferred maintenance affecting other systems.

Reference: Bonnefoy et al. (2003), WHO LARES Study
1.3x Weight

Climate Control (Heating/Cooling)

Inadequate heating is associated with cardiovascular stress, hypothermia risk, and respiratory illness. This is particularly important in Boston's climate where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing.

Reference: Bonnefoy et al. (2003), WHO LARES Study
1.2x Weight

Plumbing

Plumbing issues create pathways to mold growth through water damage and leaks. Persistent moisture from plumbing problems is a primary cause of indoor mold, creating indirect health effects.

Reference: Jacobs et al. (2009), Environmental Health Perspectives
1.2x Weight

Security

Building security features (working locks, secure entry, lighting) directly impact personal safety and are associated with reduced risk of break-ins, assault, and psychological stress from fear of crime.

Reference: Bonnefoy et al. (2003), WHO LARES Study

The 27 Survey Items

Each item below is drawn from validated housing assessment instruments. Items marked with * receive additional health/safety weighting.

Unit Quality (10 items)

  • * Structural Integrity
  • * Plumbing Systems
  • Electrical Systems
  • * Climate Control (Heat/AC)
  • Ventilation
  • * Pest Control
  • * Mold/Moisture
  • Appliances
  • Layout & Space
  • Accuracy to Listing

Source: OHQS interior domains

Building (9 items)

  • Common Areas
  • * Security Features
  • Exterior Condition
  • Neighbor Noise
  • External Noise
  • Mail/Package Handling
  • Laundry Facilities
  • Parking
  • Trash/Recycling

Source: PHQS building indicators

Landlord (8 items)

  • Maintenance Response
  • Communication
  • Professionalism
  • Lease Clarity
  • Privacy Respect
  • Deposit Handling
  • Rent Practices
  • Non-Retaliation

Source: WHO LARES management factors

Recency Weighting

When calculating aggregate scores for buildings and landlords, we apply a gentle recency weight. This reflects that housing conditions and management practices can change over time, while still valuing historical reviews.

Review Age Weight Applied
0-2 years100%
3 years95%
4 years90%
5+ years85% (floor)
Reference: Hu, Pavlou & Zhang (2017), MIS Quarterly - Research on review recency effects

Interpreting Scores

4.0-5.0
Excellent
Few or no issues
3.0-3.9
Average
Some minor issues
2.0-2.9
Below Average
Notable problems
1.0-1.9
Poor
Serious concerns

References

Survey Instrument Sources

  1. Krieger, J., & Higgins, D. L. (2002). Housing and health: Time again for public health action. American Journal of Public Health, 92(5), 758-768. Source for OHQS (Observational Housing Quality Scale) - Unit condition items doi:10.2105/AJPH.92.5.758
  2. Jacobs, D. E., Wilson, J., Dixon, S. L., Smith, J., & Evens, A. (2009). The relationship of housing and population health: A 30-year retrospective analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(4), 597-604. Source for PHQS (Physical Housing Quality Scale) - Building-level items doi:10.1289/ehp.0800086
  3. Bonnefoy, X., Braubach, M., Moissonnier, B., Monolbaev, K., & Röbbel, N. (2003). Housing and health in Europe: Preliminary results of a pan-European study. American Journal of Public Health, 93(9), 1559-1563. WHO LARES Study - Landlord/management assessment items doi:10.2105/AJPH.93.9.1559

Health/Safety Weighting Evidence

  1. Krieger, J. (2010). Home is where the triggers are: Increasing asthma control by improving the home environment. Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonology, 23(2), 139-145. Evidence for pest/allergen weighting doi:10.1089/ped.2010.0022
  2. Fisk, W. J., Lei-Gomez, Q., & Mendell, M. J. (2007). Meta-analyses of the associations of respiratory health effects with dampness and mold in homes. Indoor Air, 17(4), 284-296. Evidence for mold/moisture weighting (OR 1.5-3.5) doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2007.00475.x
  3. WHO Regional Office for Europe. (2018). WHO Housing and Health Guidelines. World Health Organization. Comprehensive evidence review for housing-health relationships WHO Publication

Methodology References

  1. Hu, N., Pavlou, P. A., & Zhang, J. (2017). On self-selection biases in online product reviews. MIS Quarterly, 41(2), 449-471. Evidence for recency weighting in review aggregation doi:10.25300/MISQ/2017/41.2.06

Our Commitment to Transparency

We believe tenants deserve access to reliable information about housing quality. By grounding our methodology in peer-reviewed public health research, we aim to provide scores that reflect what matters most for your health and safety. All reviews display both raw scores and weighted domain scores so you can see exactly how ratings are calculated.

Items marked with * in review breakdowns indicate health/safety weighted categories.

Have questions about our methodology?

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