I recently moved apartments within my building, from the bottom floor to the top. The relocation was a no brainer; more space, windows, natural light, a cool breeze and a killer view (as seen above). But between gawking at all of these advantageous amenities and, on the opposite end of the spectrum, hauling a bunch of shit up four flights of stairs, I failed to notice one strikingly absent fixture that I never even considered wouldn’t be there.

There’s no bathroom sink in my apartment.

I couldn’t help but feel silly knowing that I’ll be brushing my teeth, washing my hands and shaving in the washbasin directly adjacent to the bathroom but, as it turns out, that’s a perfectly acceptable place for my landlord to situate it.

How can this be okay? How is this sanitary? What actions can I take to alter this situation even in the slightest?

These were just a few of the questions that crossed my mind as I debated contacting the landlord or not. But I turned to the law instead to see if I’d be wasting my time or teaching the lessor a thing or two about a thing or two.

According to regulations outlined by Boston’s Inspectional Services Department, a property owner must provide at least one “wash basin in the same room as the toilet, or if the wash basin cannot be placed in the same room as the toilet, it shall be placed in close proximity to the door leading directly into the room in which the toilet is located.”

But, it’s important to note that if you’re in the same boat as me and your sink doesn’t fit in the bathroom it is not, and cannot be, a substitute for the kitchen sink.

The Code of Massachusetts Regulations states that because of this rule, “Failure to provide a washbasin and shower or bathtub… shall be deemed to be a condition which may endanger or materially impair the health or safety and well-being of an occupant upon the failure of the owner to remedy said condition within the time so ordered by the board of health.”

Now, if your landlord happens to be deemed a slumlord by the Boston City Council, like Anwar Faisal or someone of the sort, he or she may not care about the possible punishment. Failure to comply with an order by the Board of Health could result in conviction or a fine of ” not less than $10.00 nor more than $500.”

Each day the problem goes on without being remedied,  failure to comply with the order as issued or modified shall constitute an additional offense.”

With all of these rules and regulations in mind, be sure to try your damnedest to examine every facet of your prospective apartment. Your new living space could, after all, boast everything except the bathroom sink.

Featured image via Shutterstock