Defending Your Home
Defending Your Home
Tenant Rights
Is your landlord threatening to evict you unlawfully? Is he withholding services or failing to maintain your residence up to the State Sanitary Code? Is he retaliating against you because you complained? If you believe legal action is required to resolve a dispute with your landlord, the Law Office of Kevin R. Heffernan, Ltd., should be your first call.
Mr. Heffernan has helped countless tenants defend their rights by suing landlords, obtaining real estate attachments, and securing significant monetary damages for claims such as:
- Breach of warranty of habitability
- Breach of quiet enjoyment
- Retaliation
- Negligence
- Emotional distress
- Violations of the Consumer Protection Act (Chapter 93A)
He has also argued successfully for reasonable accommodations for disabled tenants under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
An Expert in Massachusetts Housing Law
If you have been unexpectedly evicted or if you believe your landlord has not met his obligations under the law, you may need legal representation. You may be entitled not only to keep possession of your apartment, but also to an award of monetary damages.
With more than eight years of experience navigating the Massachusetts Housing Courts, Mr. Heffernan can help you determine the best strategy for protecting your home or business. If you’re interested in exploring your legal options, call the Law Office of Kevin R. Heffernan, Ltd., today so he can put his expertise to work for you.
CASE SPOTLIGHT
When the Blizzard of 2015 knocked out the heat and electricity in a house rented by a mother and her 4-year-old daughter, the landlord refused to pay for repairs to restore the furnace and electrical systems. The town’s Board of Health demanded that the landlord bring the property up to code. Instead, he served his tenants with an illegal 72-hour notice to vacate stating that the town had condemned the house.
After deposing the landlord and issuing subpoenas to the Board of Health, Attorney Heffernan was able to prove at trial that not only had the landlord lied to his tenant about the condemnation, but he had also deliberately misled the Board into believing that his tenant had voluntarily vacated in order to avoid criminal prosecution for not repairing his property.
The judge found in the tenant’s favor, holding the landlord liable for multiple claims, including emotional distress, negligence, and violation of the Consumer Protection Act. The court entered a six-figure judgment against the landlord, including the tenant’s attorney fees.