From rats to leaks: What Massachusetts renters need not put up with

"Attorney Richard Vetstein, of the Vetstein Law Group in Framingham said both landlords and tenants have responsibilities in maintaining a property. "A landlord has the obligation to comply with the sanitary code," he said. "The sanitary code is the floor. If conditions go beneath the floor, the landlord has to make repairs. Landlords aren't mind readers, though, either. They have to be told that there's a problem and they need a reasonable opportunity to correct it.""

"He said landlords who maintain their properties well are more likely to avoid tenants complaining, withholding rent, or engaging with the legal system. "It's also a good idea during any turnover period between tenants that landlords go through with their maintenance people to go and check all the systems, appliances, smoke detectors, windows, look for leaks, or cracks," he said. "Maybe get a professional in there to do that and fix anything that might need to be fixed.""

Massachusetts Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410.000) defines minimum habitability standards landlords must meet to rent a unit. The code covers kitchen and bathroom facilities, ceiling heights, window size and location, minimum electrical outlets per room, heating capabilities, hot water requirements, lead paint, ventilation, and required smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Tenants whose units fail to meet these standards have the right to request that landlords remedy deficiencies within a reasonable period. Landlords must make repairs when conditions fall below the code, and regular maintenance during tenant turnover reduces complaints and legal disputes.

Read at Boston.com