What are the legal obligations of a landlord when dealing with a tenant’s complaint?

In Massachusetts, landlords have certain legal responsibilities to their tenants. These obligations are outlined in the Massachusetts Landlord Tenant Law. When dealing with a tenant’s complaint, landlords must ensure that their property is safe and maintained to an appropriate level. This includes making necessary repairs that are reported by the tenant, ensuring that all common areas are kept clean, and ensuring that all safety features are functioning properly. Another obligation that landlords have is to uphold all provisions of the lease, which must be honored by both parties. This includes things like the payment of rent, when and how it must be paid, any security deposit and pet deposits that have been paid, and any repairs or improvements that the landlord must make during tenancy. In addition, landlords must make sure that they handle complaints in a timely manner. A tenant has the right to take legal action if a landlord does not follow through on a complaint within a certain timeframe, so it is important for landlords to respond to complaints quickly. However, the tenant must also offer proof that the complaint is valid. Finally, landlords must ensure that they are not discriminating against any tenants based on their race, ethnicity, gender, disability, or religion. Discrimination is illegal in Massachusetts and can lead to severe legal repercussions. It is important for landlords to treat all tenants fairly and respectfully, regardless of any differences between them.

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What are the legal obligations of a landlord when dealing with a tenant’s complaint?

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