Establishing That Your Landlord Had Knowledge of Illegal Conditons

Because your right to get repairs made is dependent upon your landlord's having knowledge of bad conditions, it is important to understand what constitutes knowledge. Under the law, your landlord has knowledge of bad conditions in the following situations:

• If the problem existed before you moved into your apartment,
• If your landlord actually sees the problem,
• If you tell or write your landlord about the problem (it is always best to notify your landlord in writing),
• If the Board of Health notifies your landlord about a problem,¹⁵
• If another tenant has notified the landlord about a problem that affects you, too, or
• If the problem existed at the time a new landlord bought your building.