Massachusetts Repair and deduct

Can a tenant fix something and deduct it from rent in Massachusetts?

If a board of health, code agency or court certifies serious sanitary code violations and the owner, after written notice, doesn't start repairs within 5 days and substantially finish within 14 days, the tenant may make the repairs. The tenant may then deduct the cost from rent, up to four months' rent in any 12-month period.

Verified Source: M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L · last checked 2026-10-15