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Home heating help for tenants

A list of resources for people who need help paying for heat.

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HEATING LAWS FOR RENTERS

You have a right to be comfortable in the winter. If you're a tenant, your landlord must:

  • provide a heating system that can heat to a minimum 68 degrees during the day and 64 degrees at night from September 15 to June 15
  • make sure your hot water is between 110-130 degrees
  • give you access to the basement if your breakers, utility meters, or oil tanks are there, and
  • give you 24-hour notice if they're coming over to make non-emergency repairs.

Problems with heat

If there's a problem, you should tell your landlord right away. In the meantime:

  1. Check your thermostat and make sure it's on.
  2. Make sure you have oil in your tank if you have oil heat.
  3. If you have gas heat, call the gas company and check to see if you're still getting service.
  4. If your landlord doesn't respond to your calls, contact Inspection Services at 617-635-5322. If it's after normal business hours, contact BOS:311.
OTHER HEATING LAWS

Certain people are eligible for shut-off protection to prevent utilities from shutting off your services. You can call your utility company to sign up for shut-off protection. The following people are eligible:

  • senior citizens
  • low-income families with infants
  • people with serious illnesses who can't pay their bills
  • tenants whose landlords pay utilities, and
  • low-income people who would be without heat in the winter.

Get help paying for heat

UTILITY DISCOUNTS

If you are eligible for fuel assistance, you may be able to get a discounted rate on your utilities through your provider. You also qualify for a discount if you are part of an income-based benefit program, like SNAP, Mass Health, Public Housing, Supplemental Security Income, or other qualifying benefit programs.

Find out if you're eligible for the National Grid R-2 low income rate.  Eversource Electric also offers discounted rates to qualifying people. Find out if you're eligible.

FUEL ASSISTANCE

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will help you pay your heating bill based on your income. They help households that are at or below 60% State Median Income. The program pays the bills directly to your utility company during the winter months, from November to April. 

Homeowners and renters are both welcome to apply through the program. Learn how to apply for fuel assistance.

OIL CO-OPS

There are various types of assistance for people with oil heat. Oil co-ops offer discounts to members, along with other services. For more information, visit the Green Energy Consumers Alliance website or call 617-524-3950, or call the Comfort Crafted Oil Buying Network at 1-800-649-7473.

Other resources

United Way Boston

United Way Boston offers some assistance to residents.

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Good Neighbor Energy Fund

The Salvation Army fund offers one-time grants.

800-334-3047
Citizens Energy

Citizens Energy offers discounted, one-time deliveries of heating oil.

1-877-563-4645
Mass Save

Low-income families can get no-cost energy efficiency upgrades for their home.

1-857-376-6220

Help from the City

The Elderly Commission

The Elderly Commission helps older adults with fuel assistance.

617-635-4366
Consumer Affairs and Licensing

Consumer Affairs can answer questions about your heating bill.

617-635-3834
Inspectional Services

Get help if you have no heat and your landlord isn't responding.

617-635-5322
Rental Housing Resource Center

Find help with landlord and tenant rights.

617-635-5322

Notice about oil heat

The City makes sure residents are treated fairly by oil dealers. By law, oil companies must give you a receipt when they deliver your oil. The receipt needs to include:

  • the name of the oil dealer
  • your name
  • the price per gallon, and
  • a meter stamp of how much oil was delivered.

If you have a complaint about your oil company, contact Consumer Affairs at 617-635-3834. You can also file a complaint through BOS:311.

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