37 FRIEND STREET - BUILDING INSPECTION 37 FRIEND STREET
APPENDIX II (14)
LcgRl Remedies for Tenan(s of
- R..ei.la•ntial F{un.inv
Tilt.FOLLOWINC IS A BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF Tilt. LEGAL REMEDIES PF-NANTS MAY USF`Ir�ox F:It fll 1E*f'�--- —
IIOUSINI:CODE{VIOLA FIs2NS CORRECTUO. -
I. Rent Withholding(General laws Chapter 219Settion 7A) -
fi-Code Violations vlrc Nor grin; Currtcterl you may be cmidcd in hold hack your rem paytnrnts. You can Je ibis -:;he'll Ming
c,,icicd if:
A. You can prove that y6ur dwellint unit of commun areas tOtlllin code violations which arc serious enough to endanger or m.tteri
ally impair your health or safety and that your landlord kncw about the violations before you were bclpind in your r ut.
Is. You aid not cause ih: violations and they can be repaired whiic yru connime;o live in the building.
C. You are pre?fired w pay any portiFm Of the ren(into court if a judge orders you to pay if. (E"or till'.it c,teal to poi the rent nUJae)
aside in a sef5 place.)
I
2. Repair and Deduct(General Laws Chapter 111 Section 127L).
The law ssimetimcs allows you to use your rent money to make the repairs yourself. if your local code enfogen+ent-ugeu • ' -
there are code violations which endanger or materially impair your health,.safety or well-being and your landlord has received written notice
of the violations,you may be able to use this remedy. If the owner fails to begin necessary repairs(or to enter into a written contract to have
them made)within five days after notice or to complete repairs within IA days after notice you can use up to four months' rent in any year to
make the repairs.
3. Reuliatory Rent Increases or Evictions Prohibited(Gem:ral Laws Chapter 186.Section 19 and Chapter 239 Section 2A).
The owner may no: increase your tent or evict you in retaliation for making a complaint to your local code enforcement agency about
code violations. If the owner raises-.your rent or cries to evict within six months after you have made the complaint he or she will have to show
a good reason for the increase or eviction which is unrelated to•vout complaint. You may be able to sue the landlord for damages if he or she
(ries this.
S. Rent Receivership(General Laws Chapter 1 I1 Sections 127C-H).
The occupants and/or the board of health may petition the District or Superior Court to allow rem to be paid into court rather than to
the owner.The court may then appoint a"receiver"who may spend as much of the rent money as is needed to correct the violation. The re-
ceiver is not subject to a spending limitation of four months'eau.
S. -Breach of Warranty of Habitability.
You may be entitled to sue your landlord-to have all or some of your rent rctnrried if your dwelling unit docs not meet minimum stand.
ards of habitability. -
6. Unfair and Deceptive Practices(General Laws Chapter 93A). -
Renting an apv tent with code violations is a violation of the con tinter protection act and regulannos for rvhich you may sue an
owner.
THE INFORMATION PRESENTED.ABOVF, IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE LAW, BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO yYIIHIIOLD
YOUR RENTOR .TAKE ANY OTHER LEGAL ACTION, IT IS ADVISABLE THAI YOU CONSULT AN ATLCtRNEY. It YOU CAN-
NOT AFFORD TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY. YOU SIIOULD CONTAC'VI-LIE NEAREST LEGAL.SERVICES OFFICF:WHICH IS:
NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVIOES, INC. , _ (617)599-7730
t i (NAhIE) (T[LGPHONE NUMIIGRI
37 FRIEND STREET_;�IYNN, MA 01902
`,.,,,--- (ADDRESS)
FORM 33 HosesA WARREN.INC.-NOV,19n r "11.39..