Inspection FAQs: My unit is damaged

For an apartment to be leased by a Metro Housing|Boston Section 8 voucher holder, the apartment must meet the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the supplemental inspection requirements of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). For this reason, it is important to address inspectional issues accordingly as they are occurring and address matters with the tenant first. Units in which are not within HQS may result in termination of payments or termination in the HAP contract.

My owner is stating my unit is damaged or I can confirm there is tenant caused damaged in my unit. What do I do?

Any damage to a unit should be directed to the owner for repairs. You should be treated just as if you are a market tenant and review the rules of the lease on your responsibilities with your owner and on how the damage can be corrected. Per the Family Responsibilities and Important Program Information form which is signed by you at every recertification, you must not:

Number 28 of the form under ‘The Family Must Not’ section: Damage the unit or premises (other than damage from ordinary wear and tear) or permit any guest to damage the unit or premises.

There is also language in the model lease or owner lease explaining tenant caused damage. Please note, if the unit is damaged by you, household members in the unit or guests in your unit, you are responsible as the tenant. The owner can exercise their rights and bring the matter to court, reduce money from the security deposit or provide you with receipts on the repairs. This process however should be between you and the owner only. Metro Housing|Boston is not part of the lease and should not be part of the transaction.

We are not able to provide any legal advice on the matter. For more information on tenant rights in Massachusetts, please see the following link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/tenant-rights

For resources on free legal services, see our resource page here.