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1. Am I required to pay for domestic cold water if my lease lists this as the tenant's responsibility?

You may. In order to charge occupants for water usage, you must comply with the sub metering requirements listed in 105 CMR 410.354(D).

2. As a property owner, what appliances am I required to provide in my dwelling [unit]?

The code requires that the property owner provide, and maintain, the following facilities:
- A kitchen sink of sufficient size and capacity for washing dishes and kitchen utensils;
- A stove and oven in good repair, except and to the extent the occupant is required to do so under a written letting agreement;
- Space and proper facilities for the installation of a refrigerator;
- Suitable space to store, prepare and serve foods in a sanitary manner;
- A toilet with a toilet seat in a room which is not used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes and which affords privacy within said room;
- A wash basin in the same room as the toilet, or in a room in close proximity to the door leading directly into the room in which the toilet is located. Note: The kitchen sink cannot be substituted for the wash basin;
- A bathtub or shower in the same room as the toilet or in another room which is not used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes and which affords privacy to a person within said room;
- A door which is capable of being closed for each room that contains a toilet, bathtub or shower;
- Access to potable water;
- Access to hot water;
- Heating facilities, during the heating season;
- Electrical fixtures, as required by code;
- Smoke detectors; and
- Carbon monoxide alarms

If a property owner provides any other appliances (i.e., garbage grinder, refrigerator, dishwasher, trash compactor, and laundry facilities), they must maintain those appliances, as well, until the occupant no longer has possession of the dwelling.

3. Does a bedroom need a closet?

No.

4. Do I need to provide air conditioning for dwelling [units] that are rented?

No.

5. If I own a residential dwelling [unit] in the Town of Cohasset and my tenant is destroying the property and I would like an inspection, can I request an inspection to be performed?

Anybody may request an inspection of any residential dwelling [unit], but only the occupant and/or an authorized representative of the occupant can provide access to the dwelling [unit] for inspection. If a property owner requests a housing inspection, the Board of Health (or its authorized agent) will attempt to perform the inspection by contacting the occupant, in person, and explaining that a request for inspection has been submitted for the particular reasons requested, followed by informing the occupant of her/his rights, as described in 105 CMR 410.820 and 410.990.

If the occupant refuses access to the dwelling [unit] for inspection, the Board of Health (or its authorized agent) will document the refusal, as well as any code violations observed in the common areas and the exterior of the dwelling [unit].

6. What are the temperature requirements for dwelling [units]?

From June 15 to September 15, both inclusive:
- 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) or above
- 11:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m. 65 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius) or above
- All times, no greater than 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius)

No temperature requirements exist outside of the dates listed above.

7. Who can request a housing inspection for a particular property?

Anybody may request that a housing inspection be performed at a particular property, but only the occupant and or an authorized representative of the occupant can provide access to the dwelling [unit] in question for the inspection to take place.