PrintAll tenants have the right to live in a safe and decent place.
If your landlord knows about a dangerous or unhealthy problem in your apartment or building, and they do not fix it, they are breaking the law.
What you can do:
Use MADE: Up To Code to document your bad conditions and take action to get the repairs made.
The Massachusetts Sanitary Code sets minimum requirements for housing. To learn about the conditions your apartment must meet, get the Housing Code Checklist (Booklet 2).
Tell Your Landlord about Problems
If something in your apartment needs repair, tell your landlord as soon as possible.
Tell your landlord immediately if:
- You find something after you move in that needs repair, or
- You have an emergency, like a water pipe bursts or a problem with your heat.
Ask the landlord to let you know when a repair person will be coming to fix the problem. It is important for you or someone to be there so you can make sure the repair person can get into the apartment.
If your landlord does not fix the problem within a reasonable time, follow these steps:
- Send your landlord a letter that describes the problem and asks them to fix it.
- Keep a copy of this letter in a folder with other documents related to your tenancy.
- If your landlord does not respond to your letter, send another copy of the letter by certified mail, with a return receipt.
See, Documenting the Problem, Notify Your Landlord
Protect Yourself: Document the Problem
Take photographs or videos of the bad conditions. Record the date and time of the photographs or videos. Or write this information down.
The Apple store or Google Play have free apps like “Photo Date” that dates date photos on your smartphone.
Get an Inspection
If you write or tell your landlord and she still refuses to make repairs, call your town or city Board of Health to ask for an inspection. A housing inspector can be helpful.
Housing inspectors examine properties to see if they follow the state Sanitary Code. If there are violations, an inspector can order your landlord to make repairs within a certain time. In many cases, landlords will make the repairs.
If the problems are serious, like you have a plumbing problem or no water or heat, tell the Board of Health. By law, they must try their best to come within 24 hours. See, Getting an Inspection.
Be Ready for an Inspection
Be prepared. Before the inspection, fill out the Housing Code Checklist (Booklet 2).
Clean your home. Make sure hallways and doors are not blocked, and trash is taken out so you do not get in trouble for Sanitary Code violations.
Be there. If you cannot be there when the inspector comes, arrange for someone else to be there. Leave a note that says this person has your permission to let the inspector inspect your home.
Ask for a complete inspection. Ask the inspector to inspect inside your apartment, the outside of the building, and all common areas.
Point out problems. If the inspector misses a problem, point it out so it is on the report.
Ask for a copy of the inspector’s report. If your apartment or building needs serious repairs, the inspector must send a repair order to your landlord within 12 hours.
Follow-up. If the landlord does not make the repairs by the time and date on the order, contact the inspector and ask for a re-inspection.
If the Landlord Refuses to Make Repairs
If your landlord refuses to repair conditions that may put you in danger or seriously harm your health or safety, you have the right to:
Withhold Rent. You can withhold the rent or part of it until the landlord makes the repairs you requested. They may try to evict you. To protect yourself from eviction:
- Put the rent money you withhold in a bank account. Keep it separate from your other accounts so you have this money if your landlord takes you to court.
- Write your landlord a letter, list the repairs needed, and say you will withhold rent until the problems are fixed. Keep a copy of your letter in a safe place!
Repair and Deduct. Get the repairs made and deduct the cost from your rent. This can be complicated and you must follow the law.
Join together with tenants. If other tenants need repairs, work together on solutions.
Break your lease. If your landlord refuses to fix serious problems, you may be able to break your lease. Get a housing inspection before you move out. This will protect you if the landlord sues you for breaking your lease.
Take your landlord to court. If you prove the landlord broke the law, a judge may order her to make repairs or pay you money for bad conditions, or may order a temporary landlord called a “receiver.”
You have the right to an interpreter
