Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts
housing law
i am hoping someone can answer my question and that is this i have been living in an apartment for 5.5 years in 2006 ge tried to evict me instead we came to agreement in court that i would paythe back rent and he would fix evrything wrong inthe apartment .i paid the back rent but he never fixed the stuff wrong with the apartment and one of the things he was suppose to fix was a ceilingthat was leaking from a faulty plumbing well he never did and now the other day the ceiling collapsed and feel on my 6 year old son please tell what is his liability for damages .if i can sue him incourt .he has had three years to fix it he didnt the ceiling feel and i do mean the whole thing while he wwas sleeping .please give me some advice on what to do he refuses to fix it and there are electrical wires all over the place
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: housing law
Call the local health dept and have them issue citations against the Landlord. Inform the Landlord in writing that you are withholding rent until such time the problems, which he promised to repair are in fact repaired as well as the new problems with the ceiling.
If your son was injured contact a local attorney about the injuries. However, if he was not hurt such that he has a permanent injury or you will incurr $2,000 of medical expenses including those paid by health insurance or Mass health, you will only get the direct costs related to the injury more or less.
You can sue in housing court for a return of some of your rent as well.
Good Luck.