Section 19. A landlord or lessor of any real estate except an owner-occupied two- or three-family dwelling shall, within a reasonable time following receipt of a written notice from a tenant forwarded by registered or certified mail of an unsafe condition, not caused by the tenant, his invitee, or any one occupying through or under the tenant, exercise reasonable care to correct the unsafe condition described in said notice except that such notice need not be given for unsafe conditions in that portion of the premises not under control of the tenant. The tenant or any person rightfully on said premises injured as a result of the failure to correct said unsafe condition within a reasonable time shall have a right of action in tort against the landlord or lessor for damages. Any waiver of this provision in any lease or other rental agreement for residential use shall be void and unenforceable. The notice requirement of this section shall be satisfied by a notice from a board of health or other code enforcement agency to a landlord or lessor of residential premises not exempted by the provisions of this section of a violation of the state sanitary code or other applicable by-laws, ordinances, rules or regulations.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Title I - Title to Real Property
Chapter 186 - Estates for Years and at Will
Section 1a - Land Demised for Term of 100 Years or More Regarded as Estate in Fee Simple
Section 3 - Tenancy at Sufferance; Liability for Rent
Section 4 - Liability of Tenant for Rent for Proportion of Land in Possession
Section 5 - Action to Recover Rent; Evidence
Section 6 - Survival of Action
Section 7 - Remedies of Landlords
Section 8 - Recovery of Rent Accruing Before Determination of Lease
Section 9 - Recovery of Rent Paid in Advance
Section 10 - Rent as a Necessary
Section 11 - Determination of Lease for Nonpayment of Rent
Section 11a - Termination of Lease for Nonpayment of Rent
Section 12 - Notice to Determine Estate at Will
Section 13 - Recovery of Possession After Termination of Tenancy at Will
Section 15 - Non-Liability of Landlord; Provisions in Lease or Rental Agreement
Section 15a - Waiver of Notices; Lease or Rental Agreement Provisions; Validity
Section 15c - Residential Real Estate, Lease Payments Based on Real Estate Tax Increases
Section 15d - Oral Agreement to Execute Lease; Delivery of Lease Copy; Penalty; Waiver
Section 15e - Action Against Owner; Injuries Due to Defects Violating Building Code; Defense; Waiver
Section 16 - Leases or Rental Agreements Restricting Occupancy of Children
Section 17 - Occupancy Constituting Tenancy at Will; Termination
Section 20 - Attorneys' Fees and Expenses; Residential Lease Provisions; Implied Covenant; Waiver
Section 21 - Disclosure of Insurance Information by Lessor; Violations; Waiver
Section 23 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 23 to 29
Section 28 - Waivers of Secs. 23 to 27 Void and Unenforceable
Section 29 - Owner Immunity From Liability
Section 30 - Inspection of Vacated Property for Presence of Abandoned Animals