Heat Not Working in Boston — What Can I Do?
You have a legal right to a habitable home. If the heat is out, the law requires your landlord to fix it. Here is a clear, local set of next steps so you can act today.
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Massachusetts requires landlords to provide heat of at least 68°F between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM, and at least 64°F between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM, from September 16 through June 14 each year.
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As soon as you notice the heat is out, send a written notice to your landlord — text or email — describing the problem, the date it started, and the indoor temperature. Putting it in writing creates a record and starts the clock.
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Call Boston 311 (or submit online) to request a housing inspection. An inspector can issue an order requiring your landlord to restore heat, and you will receive a case number to track the complaint.
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Take photographs of your thermostat reading and note the date and time. If the dispute escalates, dated documentation is critical evidence.
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If the landlord does not restore heat promptly after written notice and a 311 inspection order, contact a tenant advocacy organization or legal aid for guidance on rent withholding and repair-and-deduct remedies available under Massachusetts law.