Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts
My son is living in an apartment and he called the landlord/maintenance on December 8, 2013 to tell them he had no heat. They dropped off two space heaters and let a note saying to leave them running all day long and they would return. He has heard nothing since, it is now January 4, 2014. He has made calls which no one returns. Besides feeling unsafe using space heaters this is causing a significant increase in the cost of his electric bill. What are his options?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Your son must call the board of health (in Boston this is called Inspectional Services) and report the problem. They will come out for a visit and they will order the landlord to fix the problem. This is definitely not acceptable.
Your son calls inspectional services and they will issue an order to the landlord to repair the heat. They take lack of heat in apartments seriously.
Your son can also send a notice (certified re ceipt and regular mail) to the Landlord stating he will withhold rent until the heat is repaired properly and open a separate account and pay the rent into this account. The second part is important.
I would however start with inspectional services.
Related Questions & Answers
Looking for something else?
10,200 active attorneys ready to answer your legal questions today.
Featured Attorneys
Earn additional revenue and grow your business.
