Brockton Code of Ordinances ch. 4, art. II § 4-26
Exemptions
Operative Text
(a) Boardinghouses, hotels, inns, lodging houses, dormitories, and any hospitals, sanitoriums, convalescent or nursing homes, infirmaries or boardinghouses for the aged licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Rental units owned or operated by Federal, State, or City Government are exempt from the requirements of this article. (b) Any apartment which is newly constructed shall be exempt from this article for a time period of five (5) years after receipt of a certificate of occupancy from the department of building inspection, except that any apartment existing in a building constructed with state or federal financial assistance or mortgage insurance shall be exempt for a period of two (2) years after receipt of a certificate of occupancy from department of building inspection.
Brockton Code of Ordinances ch. 4, art. II § 4-26 carves out several categories of housing from the city's rent regulation article. Transient and institutional accommodations—such as boardinghouses, hotels, lodging houses, dormitories, and licensed care facilities—fall outside the article's reach, as do rental units owned or operated by federal, state, or city government. Newly constructed apartments also receive a temporary exemption: five years from the issuance of a certificate of occupancy in most cases, or two years when the building was financed with state or federal assistance or mortgage insurance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Brockton Code of Ordinances ch. 4, art. II § 4-26 generally track whether their properties fall into an exempt category before applying rent regulation procedures. For newly constructed buildings, compliant operators typically document the certificate of occupancy date and note whether state or federal financing was involved, since that distinction determines whether the exemption window is five years or two. Operators whose exemption period is approaching its end commonly review their obligations under the broader article in advance so that compliance measures are in place when the exemption expires.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Brockton Code of Ordinances ch. 4, art. II § 4-26, tenants in newly constructed apartments or in government-owned units may find that the rent regulation article does not apply to their unit, at least for a defined period. Tenants who are uncertain whether their unit qualifies for an exemption—or whether an exemption period has already expired—can request documentation such as the certificate of occupancy date and inquire about any government financing involved in the building's construction. Tenants who believe an exemption is being claimed improperly may raise that issue as a defense in a relevant proceeding, file a complaint with the appropriate local rent board or housing authority, or consult a tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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