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Landlord
Address
Kitchen
Bathroom
- Toilet:
free from leaks
- Sink,
tub, shower: free from leaks; drain properly, in good condition
- Newer
electric socket (GFCI) near sink
- Adequate
ventilation (fan or window)
- Walls:
from floor to 4 ft. must have non-absorbent, easily cleaned
material
(tiles or vinyl coating)
Water
- Enough
hot & cold water for ordinary use
- Hot
water heater in good condition (heats to 120F degrees)
Heat
- Oil,
gas or electric?
- Who
pays, and how much?
- How
to contact utility company?
- System
must be adequate to keep every room at 68F between September 16
& June 14, 7 am-11 pm; 64F 11pm-7am.
Wiring
- For
each room, 2 separate outlets or 1 outlet & 1 overhead
light fixture
- Electric
light fixtures in storage & hallways
- No
temporary wiring
- No
wiring under rugs or passing through doorways
- Will
your computer/stereo cause fuses to blow? (Is system old or new?)
- Will
you need lamps?
- Internet
access installed?
Bedrooms
Ventilation
- Adequate
ventilation for every room (window or vent)
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General
Safety
- Visit
apt at night with a friend to get a feel for neighborhood; are
front & back doors and street well-lighted?
- Lighted
parking
area?
- Working
locks on all doors & windows?
- Working
screens?
- Appropriate
# of persons per unit.
- Sliding
glass doors with bar or stick across base?
Fire Safety
- Two
exits per unit; no blocked exits
- Adequate
& accessible fire escape
- Working
smoke detectors in/near every bedroom, hallway and basement
- Candles
and open flames are FIRE HAZARDS and should be avoided
Transportation
- Driveway
parking?
- Near
"T"/ bus stop?
- Approximate
walking time
Garbage
Collection
- Where
are garbage cans/covers kept?
- Recycling
boxes?
- When
is trash pick-up?
Structural
Maintenance
- Foundations:
water-tight, rodent-proof, in good repair
- Floors:
free of holes, cracks or bulges
- Walls:
in good repair
- Ceilings:
in good repair
- Doors
& windows: water-tight, no drafts
- Stairways:
stable with handrail
- Porch:
railing is over 3 ft. from ground
- No
lead paint if children under the age of six are living in the
apartment
General
Maintenance
- No
rats or roaches
- Water,
heat, electricity, and gas must be on at all times except during
actual repair
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Concerns or Complaints
Discuss questions or concerns about an apartment's condition
with the landlord before signing a lease. If repairs are
needed, write agreement into lease, eg, “Landlord will fix leaky
sink before move-in date.”
Sign and date.
After you move
in: complaints about unresponsive landlords (who do not respond
to repeated phone calls or letters) should be made to the local
Board of Health.
- Medford
Board of Health, (781) 393-2561
- Somerville
Board of Health, (617) 625-6600
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