Inspection FAQs: Utility shut off

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.

The electricity is turned off and I am responsible for this utility per the Lease. What do I do?

Electricity is a necessity for the health and safety of your family. In the event the electricity is shut off and you are responsible for the utility bill, please contact the utility company to have the issue corrected within 24 hours. In the event of a utility shut off and you need assistance with payments, you can attempt to qualify for RAFT who may be able to assist. This is not a guarantee and you would need to communicate with the RAFT department directly regarding their process.

https://www.metrohousingboston.org/what-we-do/rental-relief-and-eviction-prevention/

The electricity is turned off and it is the owner’s responsible for this utility per the Lease. What do I do?

Electricity is a necessity for the health and safety of your family. In the event the electricity is shut off and the owner is responsible for this utility, the owner must correct this issue within 24 hours. If the issue is not corrected, our inspections department will conduct an inspection and contact the owner for utility assistance. We will make additional requests from our inspection coordinators. If the issue is not resolved, the HAP Contract with the owner will be terminated and housing assistance payments will stop immediately.

The electricity is turned off and the owner is responsible for this utility per the Lease but the owner would like to change the terms. What do I do?

Electricity is a necessity for the health and safety of the family. In the event the electricity is shut off and the owner is responsible for this utility but this party would like to change the utilities, the owner must first correct the issue with the utility shut off. 

My water is shut off. What do I do?

Water is a necessity for the health and safety of your family. In the event the water is shut off and the owner is responsible for this utility, they must correct this issue within 24 hours. In the event you are responsible for this utility, it must be corrected within 24 hours. Our inspections department will conduct an inspection of the unit within 24 hours of notice of the shut off. Refer to the lease and Request for Tenancy Approval regarding who is responsible for the utility.