At the inception of a new tenancy and if you are terminating an existing tenancy on or after the Effective Date, you are required to provide your tenants with the Information, including a notice of basic housing rights and resources, that will be prepared by the City of Cambridge. The Information may be downloaded from the City Website or picked up at the Cambridge Office of the Housing Liaison at 362 Green Street, 1st Floor, Cambridge MA 02139 during regular City business hours.
For new tenancies, the Information must be provided either when a tenant signs a lease or enters into a tenancy agreement for the first time or tenders the first month’s rent. The process of terminating a tenancy is complex and an attorney should be consulted. The Ordinance requires that a landlord provide the Information, including a notice of basic housing rights and resources, to tenants when legally required steps to terminate a tenancy are taken.
If you are renewing a lease of an existing tenant for the first time following the effective date of this Ordinance (10/14/20) you should provide the information. Thereafter, it is good practice to provide the information again, but you are not required to offer materials at each renewal.
Yes, all tenants and lawful occupants must be provided a copy of the materials.
The Ordinance does not require this; however, it would be good practice to do so.
This Ordinance does not prevent a landlord from initiating an eviction action if otherwise allowed by law. However, the notice of housing rights and resources should provide landlords and tenants with a better understanding of the eviction process as well as the resources potentially available that may mitigate and prevent the eviction. For example, if you have been happy with your tenant except for the fact that they have fallen behind in rent and you are therefore beginning the eviction process due to non–payment of rent, the resources contained in the Information materials may assist you in finding alternatives to eviction. If you do begin an eviction process through a notice to quit or other action, it is required that you offer the Information about rights and resources at the same time.
The Ordinance applies to a single residential dwelling unit. Some owners may be unaware of how the eviction process works and how it might be avoided. The Information provided will hopefully assist landlords and tenants. Knowing about rights and resources will save owners time and money.
Yes, this Ordinance does NOT apply to: rental units in a hospital, skilled nursing facility or health facility or in a non-profit facility that has the primary purpose of providing short term assistance, treatment, assistance or therapy for alcohol, drug or other substance abuse. (Please read the definition of short-term treatment in the full Ordinance found in Sec 8.71.030)
In addition, the Ordinance does NOT apply to Short Term Rental Units as set forth in Article 4, Section 4.60 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.
We encourage you to read the full scope of Section 8.71.070 “Violation Penalty” of the Ordinance and to consult an attorney if you have questions. You may be fined $300 for each day’s violation.
Read and become familiar with the information packet of materials. If the information has not been provided to you at your lease signing, go to the City website to download the materials. You may also want to reach out to your landlord or their management company and remind them of the information packet. Consult an attorney if you are being evicted.
Anyone can contact the Cambridge Office of the Housing Liaison at 617-349-6337.