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DRAFT FOR ATTORNEY REVIEW — NOT FINAL

Gifford v. Sears, 19 Mass. L. Rptr. 716 (2005)

Citation
Gifford v. Sears, 19 Mass. L. Rptr. 716 (2005)
Parent Document
Gifford v. Sears, 19 Mass. L. Rptr. 716 (2005)
Jurisdiction
Massachusetts (state)
Effective Date
2005-08-12

Other Sections in This Document (37)

Full Text

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The defendants erroneously argue that breach of the implied warranty of habitability does not impose strict liability claims for personal injury. The warranty of habitability is derived from a contract theory which does not incorporate a fault element which amounts to strict liability. See Berman & Sons, 379 Mass, at 200 (“Considerations of fault do not belong in an analysis of warranty”). It is designed not to penalize *721the landlord for misbehavior, but rather to provide a dwelling suitable for habitation. The essential objective of the warranty is to make sure that the tenant receives what he is paying for. The landlord may not avoid his duty with mere reasonable efforts to provide a habitable dwelling as the tenant may not excuse his obligation with reasonable efforts to pay rent.