Board of Health
Rental Regulations Memo
November 29, 2006
To: Owner, Manager or Agent
Re: Rental Dwellings and Rooming Units
105 CMR 410.000: State Sanitary Code Chapter II: Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation.
At a public hearing on September 7, 2006, the following was unanimously adopted: (excerpts:)
Merrimac Board Of Health Regulations Governing Certification Of Rental Dwelling And Rooming Units In Merrimac
Adopted: September 7, 2006
The purpose of these regulations is to protect the health, safety and well being of the occupants of rental housing. These regulations are enacted by the Town of Merrimac Board of Health under the authority of Sections 31 and 127A of Chapter 111 of the General Laws of Massachusetts and any other power thereto enabling. These regulations apply to all owners, managers or persons in charge of rental dwelling units or rooming units in Merrimac whether or not a written rental or lease agreement is signed.
The owner, manager or person in charge who fails to obtain a rental housing inspection and Certificate of Rental Compliance required by this Regulation is liable for a one-hundred-dollar ($100) per day penalty for each day the unit is occupied. Also pursuant to MGL Chapter 148A and 780 CMR, a Violation Notice Ticket may be issued by the Fire Department or Inspectional Services Department for Fire Code or Building Code violations.
Regulations are on file and may be viewed at the Board of Health. Copies are available at a fee. Regulations can also be viewed online.
The Rental Inspection Application is posted online as a downloadable PDF and is also available at the Board of Health office. You may make copies of this application for use as your dwellings or units are being re-rented; or come to the Board of Health office to obtain a copy or copies which are available on the shelf at our window. The form is to be completed by you and then signed by the offices of the Tax Collector and Light/Water/Sewer Dept. that payment is current, then signed by the Fire Dept. (when applicable), to confirm that the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are functional and properly installed. The Fire Department is not required to sign off on the efficiency of alarms in those apartments that are monitored by the state authorities, i.e. the larger apartment buildings.
Upon completion, submit the application to the Board of Health accompanied by a forty-dollar ($40.00) payment for each unit to be inspected. An appointment will be arranged for our Health Agent to inspect the dwelling prior to occupancy.
posted: January 15, 2007