Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts

My landlord is taking me to court for violating my lease. I have not paid my last month rent as agreed due to the fact that since I moved in (August 2009), my oven has been broken. I just called the board of health and he was written up for 3 different violatons. My question is what rights do I have in regards to when I go to court. I have been told that I should get financial compensation or free rent to having no rights at all. He has ignored all emails regarding where my deposit is being held to my statement of condition letter I sent him. I do not know what rights I have as a tenant. I am moving as of May 1 regardless but I would some knowledge before I go to court on 3//25.


Asked on 3/10/10, 5:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher B. Coughlin Coughlin Law Group, PC

As a tenant, you have a lot of rights. In addition to the right to be informed of the whereabouts of your security deposit, you may also have defenses to any alleged breach of the lease.

Without more information about your particular situation, it would be impossible to anticipate all possible defenses you might have here. No matter how informed you are though, I would suggest consulting with an attorney before you head to court. An attorney is going to be familiar with the defenses, any claims you might have, but also the rules of court.

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Answered on 3/16/10, 11:22 am


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