In Massachusetts, conditions that endanger health and safety, like an active leak, no heat or no water, should be addressed by the landlord right away. If the landlord does not act, the tenant can ask the local board of health to inspect, and the inspector's order sets the repair deadlines, with the shortest deadlines for emergencies. General information, not legal advice. Landlords who need the work done can call (413) 603-1274.
What tenants should do
- Report it in writing with photos and the date. Keep a copy.
- Follow up if nothing happens within a day for an emergency.
- Call the board of health for an inspection under the sanitary code if repairs do not start.
- Keep records of every call, text and visit.
- Get advice from tenant legal aid before withholding rent or making repairs yourself.
Why speed matters with water
Water damage gets worse by the day: wet plaster and drywall weaken, floors swell, and mold can start within 24 to 48 hours. That is why active leaks and soaked walls are treated as urgent. See how to check for mold after a leak.
What landlords should do
- Stop the leak the same day
- Start drying immediately, in every unit the water reached
- Tell tenants the plan in writing
- Arrange temporary housing if a unit is not safe to live in
- Keep records for insurance
In Chicopee two- and three-deckers, water from one unit often reaches others. We fix the pipe and dry every affected unit together. See apartment and multi-family water damage.
Repair or mitigation first?
For water damage, two different clocks are running. The first is stopping the water and drying the building, which needs to start the same day to prevent mold and further damage. The second is the finished repair: new drywall, flooring and paint. Inspectors focus first on conditions that endanger health and safety, such as no heat, no water, a ceiling that may fall, wet electrical, or mold. Finished cosmetic repairs can follow once the building is dry. Landlords should tell tenants what will happen and when, in writing.
Insurance does not pause the clock
Waiting for an insurance adjuster is not a reason to leave tenants with an active leak, no heat or a soaked apartment. Mitigation should start right away, with photos and readings kept for the claim. The owner's duty to the tenant does not depend on when the insurer pays.
Keep the paper trail
For tenants, a dated text or email to the landlord is the most important document after a leak. For landlords, so is a dated reply saying what will be done and when. Inspectors, insurers and judges all look at who knew what and when. A short message the same day protects both sides far better than phone calls no one can prove.
Questions
Can I withhold rent if the landlord does not fix it?
Massachusetts has specific rules for this. Get legal advice first. Doing it wrong can put you at risk.
Who do I call in Chicopee for an inspection?
The city's board of health or code enforcement office handles sanitary code complaints. Call City Hall and ask for housing inspections.
Landlords: need it fixed fast? Call
Call (413) 603-1274 now. Locally owned in Chicopee. See what tenants should do first.