Sanitary Code violation (Massachusetts) · Go Syfert
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Sanitary Code violation in Massachusetts

8 Massachusetts opinions name it 3 courts 1981–2025 1 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Massachusetts courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (3)

CaseFollowedCited
Berman & Sons, Inc. v. Jeffersongreen
mass · 1979 · cited in 7 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1981–2008
2 sentences

2008A presumption that a tenant is entitled to withhold rent arises if there is “(p]roof that the premises are in violation of the standard of fitness for human habitation established under the state sanitary code, the state building code, or any other ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation establishing such standards and that such conditions may endanger or materially impair the health, safety or well-being of a person occupying the premises.” G.L.c. 239, §8A; see also Berman & Sons, Inc. v. Jefferson, 379 Mass. 196, 201-02 (1979) (“A dwelling afflicted with a substantial Sanitary Code violation i

2008A presumption that a tenant is entitled to withhold rent arises if there is “(p]roof that the premises are in violation of the standard of fitness for human habitation established under the state sanitary code, the state building code, or any other ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation establishing such standards and that such conditions may endanger or materially impair the health, safety or well-being of a person occupying the premises.” G.L.c. 239, §8A; see also Berman & Sons, Inc. v. Jefferson, 379 Mass. 196, 201-02 (1979) (“A dwelling afflicted with a substantial Sanitary Code violation i

57
McKenna v. Begingreen
massappct · 1977 · cited in 2 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 1981–1997
2 sentences

1997Therefore, ” ‘[a] dwelling afflicted with a substantial Sanitary Code violation is not habitable,’ in the sense that it is not in compliance with the warranty, Berman & Sons v. Jefferson, [ 379 Mass. 196, 201-02 (1979)], even though the breach is not so severe as to abate the rent to zero, see McKenna v. Begin, [ 5 Mass.App.Ct. 304, 313 (1977)] ... , or force the tenant to vacate, see Boston Housing Authy. v. Hemingway,... [ 363 Mass. at 199-00 ]." Altschuler, 12 Mass.App.Ct. at 458 .

1997Therefore, ” ‘[a] dwelling afflicted with a substantial Sanitary Code violation is not habitable,’ in the sense that it is not in compliance with the warranty, Berman & Sons v. Jefferson, [ 379 Mass. 196, 201-02 (1979)], even though the breach is not so severe as to abate the rent to zero, see McKenna v. Begin, [ 5 Mass.App.Ct. 304, 313 (1977)] ... , or force the tenant to vacate, see Boston Housing Authy. v. Hemingway,... [ 363 Mass. at 199-00 ]." Altschuler, 12 Mass.App.Ct. at 458 .

22
South Boston Elderly Residences, Inc. v. Moynahangreen
massappct · 2017 · cited in 1 Massachusetts opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
1 sentence

2025See South Boston Elderly Residences, Inc., 91 Mass. App. Ct. at 463-464.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Massachusetts. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (2)

CaseCitedYears
Boston Housing Authority v. Hemingway green
mass · 1973
2 sentences

1997Therefore, ” ‘[a] dwelling afflicted with a substantial Sanitary Code violation is not habitable,’ in the sense that it is not in compliance with the warranty, Berman & Sons v. Jefferson, [ 379 Mass. 196, 201-02 (1979)], even though the breach is not so severe as to abate the rent to zero, see McKenna v. Begin, [ 5 Mass.App.Ct. 304, 313 (1977)] ... , or force the tenant to vacate, see Boston Housing Authy. v. Hemingway,... [ 363 Mass. at 199-00 ]." Altschuler, 12 Mass.App.Ct. at 458 .

1997Therefore, ” ‘[a] dwelling afflicted with a substantial Sanitary Code violation is not habitable,’ in the sense that it is not in compliance with the warranty, Berman & Sons v. Jefferson, [ 379 Mass. 196, 201-02 (1979)], even though the breach is not so severe as to abate the rent to zero, see McKenna v. Begin, [ 5 Mass.App.Ct. 304, 313 (1977)] ... , or force the tenant to vacate, see Boston Housing Authy. v. Hemingway,... [ 363 Mass. at 199-00 ]." Altschuler, 12 Mass.App.Ct. at 458 .

21981–1997
Altschuler v. Boston Rent Board green
massappct · 1981
2 sentences

1997Therefore, ” ‘[a] dwelling afflicted with a substantial Sanitary Code violation is not habitable,’ in the sense that it is not in compliance with the warranty, Berman & Sons v. Jefferson, [ 379 Mass. 196, 201-02 (1979)], even though the breach is not so severe as to abate the rent to zero, see McKenna v. Begin, [ 5 Mass.App.Ct. 304, 313 (1977)] ... , or force the tenant to vacate, see Boston Housing Authy. v. Hemingway,... [ 363 Mass. at 199-00 ]." Altschuler, 12 Mass.App.Ct. at 458 .

1997Therefore, ” ‘[a] dwelling afflicted with a substantial Sanitary Code violation is not habitable,’ in the sense that it is not in compliance with the warranty, Berman & Sons v. Jefferson, [ 379 Mass. 196, 201-02 (1979)], even though the breach is not so severe as to abate the rent to zero, see McKenna v. Begin, [ 5 Mass.App.Ct. 304, 313 (1977)] ... , or force the tenant to vacate, see Boston Housing Authy. v. Hemingway,... [ 363 Mass. at 199-00 ]." Altschuler, 12 Mass.App.Ct. at 458 .

11997–1997

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MA § Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 239, § 8A (4)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

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