Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Massachusetts

Landlords resposibilities for appliances.

I am renewing a lease with a tenant of the previous owner. There is washer/dryer in this apartment (the tenant owns them). Am I responsible for replacing them if they break? If so, is there a clause that can be written into the lease agreement releasing me of liability? If I cannot be released of liability can I ask them to remove them?


Asked on 1/12/02, 10:47 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Trant Law Office of Robert R. Trant

Re: Landlords resposibilities for appliances.

You are not under any obligation to provide a washer/dryer for the tenants unless it is agreed to in the lease. You can specify in the lease that you are not providing a washer/dryer and furthermore you are not assuming the responsibility of fixing/replacing. You can also request the tenant remove them at the end of the lease period and put a clause in the new lease stating that no washer/dryer is allowed. The landlord and tenant are free to negotiate these items. If this is a good tenant and you think they may move if you ask them to remove the washer/dryer, then you can simply put in a clause stating you have no responsibility for the applicances provided by the tenant.

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Answered on 1/15/02, 10:16 am


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