If a pipe bursts in your apartment, shut the water at the nearest valve if you can reach it, and stay away from wet outlets and lights. Then tell your landlord right away, by phone and in writing with photos, and move your belongings out of the water. Landlords in Chicopee can call (413) 603-1274 for the repair and drying.
Step by step for tenants
- Stop the water if you can. The valve under the sink or behind the toilet, or the unit valve. The building main may be in a basement you cannot reach.
- Stay safe. Do not touch switches or outlets in wet rooms. Stay out from under a sagging ceiling.
- Call the landlord or property manager. Then send a text or email with photos and the time, so there is a written record.
- Warn the neighbors. The units below may be getting water.
- Protect your things. Move electronics, papers and furniture.
- Photograph your damaged belongings for your renters insurance.
- Call your renters insurer if you have a policy.
Who fixes it
In Massachusetts, landlords must supply heat from September 15 to May 31 and keep the plumbing in good repair under the State Sanitary Code. A pipe that freezes because the building was not heated or the pipes are exposed is usually the landlord's to fix. A tenant who caused the damage, for example by turning off the heat or leaving windows open in a freeze, may be held responsible. See Massachusetts landlord heat rules and can a landlord charge a tenant.
Your belongings
The landlord's insurance covers the building, not your things. Renters insurance covers your belongings if you have it. See does renters insurance cover a burst pipe.
If the landlord does not respond
Keep calling and keep writing. If water damage, no heat or no water is left unfixed, you can ask the local board of health for an inspection under the sanitary code. See how long a landlord has to fix water damage. This is general information, not legal advice. Tenant legal aid groups in western Massachusetts can help with your situation.
Keep a record
- The date and time you found the leak
- When and how you told the landlord, with copies of texts or emails
- Photos and video of the leak, the damage and your belongings
- Any days you could not use part of the apartment
- Receipts for anything you had to buy or pay for
Records protect you if there is a question later about what happened, who caused it, or your security deposit. See water damage in Massachusetts rentals.
If water is coming from the unit above
Knock on the upstairs door first. Your neighbor may not know. If no one answers, call the landlord right away, since they can reach the main valve and enter the unit in an emergency. Move your things out from under the leak and photograph the ceiling.
Tenant questions
Can I call a company myself?
You can call us for emergency advice. Repairs to the building are normally arranged and paid by the owner.
Do I still pay rent if my apartment is unlivable?
That depends on the facts and the law. Talk to a tenant legal aid office before holding back rent.
Landlords: burst pipe in a unit? Call now
Call (413) 603-1274 now. We fix the pipe and dry every unit the water reached. See apartment and multi-family water damage.