Boston Municipal Code ch. 10-11 § 10-11.3
Applicability
Operative Text
(A) The provisions of this Section shall apply to all rental units and housing accommodations in the city, in whole or in part, where a notice to quit or other notice of lease nonrenewal or expiration has been served, or should have been served, on the tenant or former homeowner of any such rental unit or housing accommodation as of the effective date of this Section, but where any such rental unit or housing accommodation has not yet been vacated or a final order of judgment for possession has not entered as of the effective date of this Section. However, the provisions of this Section shall not apply to the following types of units: (1) Rental units in any hospital, skilled nursing facility or health facility; and (2) Rental units in a nonprofit facility that has the primary purpose of providing short-term treatment, assistance or therapy for alcohol, drug or other substance abuse. (B) Short-term treatment is treatment meant to last 30 or fewer days where such housing is incidental to the recovery program and where the client has been informed in writing of the short-term, temporary or transitional nature of the housing at its inception.
Boston Municipal Code ch. 10-11 § 10-11.3 establishes which rental units and housing situations fall within the scope of this section's protections. It covers units where a notice to quit, lease nonrenewal, or expiration notice has been served—or should have been served—as of the section's effective date, provided the unit has not yet been vacated and no final judgment for possession has been entered. Two categories are explicitly excluded: units in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, or health facilities, and units in nonprofit facilities whose primary purpose is short-term substance abuse treatment lasting 30 or fewer days, where the housing is incidental to recovery and the resident was informed in writing of its temporary nature at the outset.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Boston Municipal Code ch. 10-11 § 10-11.3, operators of most residential rental units need to be aware that this section's requirements are triggered when a notice to quit or lease nonrenewal has been issued but the unit has not yet been vacated and no final judgment for possession has entered. Compliant operators generally review whether their properties fall within the defined exclusions—such as hospital-affiliated units or qualifying nonprofit substance-abuse recovery housing—before assuming this section does not apply. Maintaining clear written records of any notices served and the status of possession proceedings is a practice consistent with operating under this framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Boston Municipal Code ch. 10-11 § 10-11.3 defines the circumstances under which tenants and former homeowners may be covered by this section's protections, specifically when a notice to quit or lease nonrenewal has been served but the unit has not yet been vacated and no final judgment for possession has entered. Tenants in most standard rental units in Boston would generally fall within this section's scope, while those residing in hospital facilities or qualifying short-term substance-abuse recovery programs may not. Tenants who believe this section applies to their situation can explore their rights by contacting a local tenant-rights organization or the Boston housing authorities for guidance on how § 10-11.3 may be relevant to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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