Martha, a real estate agent who had helped my mother years before, arranged a viewing and discussed the small Elm Street apartment with its landlord.

I spoke to him and asked about locks, heating, entry arrangements, and the cost before agreeing.

When Martha brought the lease to the hospital, she sat beside the bed rather than standing over the signature line.

“It’s a four-unit building,” she said.

“The landlord lives downstairs.

There’s a small kitchen, a bedroom, and a living room.”

“Who can enter?”

She explained the lease provisions, necessary notice, and emergency access.