Cal. Civ. Code § 410.235
Owner's Installation, Maintenance and Repair Responsibilities
Operative Text
The owner shall ensure proper installation, in compliance with accepted standards, and shall
maintain in operable condition free from leaks, obstructions or other defects, all facilities and
equipment which the owner is required to provide, and all owner installed equipment:
(A) The facilities and equipment the owner is required to provide include, but are not limited
to:
(1) Sinks;
(2) Bathtubs and/or showers;
(3) Toilets;
(4) Waterheating facilities;
(5) Gas pipes;
(6) Heating system;
(7) Water pipes;
(8) Conventional cooktop and oven, as required by 105 CMR 410.100 except and to the
extent the occupant is required to provide these items under a written rental agreement;
(9) Catch basins, drains, vents and other similar supplied fixtures;
(10) Connections to water, sewer and gas lines;
(11) Subsurface sewage disposal system, if any;
(12) Electrical light fixtures, switches, outlets and wiring;
(13) Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms as required by 780 CMR: Massachusetts
State Building Code and 527 CMR 1.00: Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code;
(14) All heating and ventilating equipment; and
(15) Refrigerator with freezer, as required by 105 CMR 410.100, except and to the extent
the occupant is required to provide these items under a written rental agreement.
(B) All owner-installed optional equipment including, but not limited to:
(1) Dishwashers;
(2) Clothes washing machines and dryers;
(3) Garbage grinders;
(4) Sub-metering devices designed to measure the usage of water;
(5) Air conditioners;
(6) Microwave ovens; and
(7) Range ventilation hoods.
(C) Following any maintenance or repair, the owner shall ensure that:
(1) All debris has been properly disposed;
(2) The area is clean; and
(3) All surfaces exposed to moisture have been dried.Under 105 Mass. Code Regs. § 410.235, property owners are required to properly install and keep in working order a broad range of facilities and equipment — including plumbing fixtures, heating systems, electrical components, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and certain appliances like refrigerators and cooktops. The obligation extends beyond required items to cover any optional equipment the owner chose to install, such as dishwashers, air conditioners, or washing machines. After any repair or maintenance work, the owner must also ensure the area is left clean, free of debris, and dry where moisture was present.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to 105 Mass. Code Regs. § 410.235 generally maintain documented inspection and maintenance schedules covering all required systems — plumbing, heating, electrical, and life-safety devices like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Compliant operators also track any optional equipment they have installed on the premises, such as dishwashers or air conditioners, and address defects in that equipment just as they would required items. After completing any repair, a compliant operator verifies that the work area is clean, debris-free, and properly dried before considering the job closed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 105 Mass. Code Regs. § 410.235 gives tenants a basis to expect that a wide range of systems and appliances — from toilets and water heaters to smoke detectors and owner-installed optional equipment — will be kept in operable, leak-free condition throughout the tenancy. If equipment covered by § 410.235 falls into disrepair, tenants may have the option of notifying the local board of health, which enforces the Massachusetts Sanitary Code, or raising the violation as a defense in relevant housing proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations in Massachusetts can help residents understand the range of remedies that may be available under the Sanitary Code when maintenance obligations go unmet.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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