Brockton Code of Ordinances ch. 4, art. II § 4-28
Violations
Operative Text
Any owner, his agent or other lessor of such property used for dwelling purposes failing to comply with this article shall pay a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) per day for every day he allows any person or persons to live, occupy or inhabit the same premises without having received a certificate of fitness for human habitation or a certificate of permission to rent from the PHD. Any owner of property failing to comply with the requirements of 105 CMR 410.481: Posting of name of owner, shall pay a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00). Any owner of property failing to comply with the requirements of this article and who has allowed the number of dwelling units or apartments on such property to be in excess of the number allowed by chapter 27 of these ordinances shall pay a fine of three hundred dollars ($300.00) per day. Any owner of property failing to comply with the requirements of section 4-21 . (Rental Unit Registration) will result in the assessment of a fine of three hundred dollars ($300.00) per month beginning in the first month in which the property is found not to be in compliance and continuing for each subsequent month thereafter.
Brockton Code of Ordinances ch. 4, art. II § 4-28 establishes a tiered fine structure for rental property owners who fail to meet certain local requirements. Renting a dwelling without a certificate of fitness or a certificate of permission to rent from the Public Health Department triggers a $50-per-day fine, while exceeding the number of permitted dwelling units carries a $300-per-day penalty. Failing to register a rental unit under section 4-21 results in a $300-per-month fine, and not posting the owner's name as required by 105 CMR 410.481 brings a one-time $50 fine.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential rental property in Brockton generally maintain compliance with Brockton Code of Ordinances ch. 4, art. II § 4-28 by securing a certificate of fitness for human habitation or a certificate of permission to rent from the Public Health Department before allowing occupancy. Compliant operators also complete rental unit registration under section 4-21, keep the number of dwelling units within what chapter 27 of the ordinances allows, and post ownership information as required by 105 CMR 410.481. Because fines under this provision accrue on a per-day or per-month basis, staying current with each of these requirements helps avoid escalating penalties.
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 § 4-28, tenants have an interest in knowing whether their landlord holds a valid certificate of fitness for human habitation or a certificate of permission to rent from the Public Health Department, since renting without one is a violation subject to daily fines. Tenants who believe their landlord may be out of compliance with this provision can contact Brockton's Public Health Department to inquire about a property's certification status or file a complaint. Tenant-rights organizations in Massachusetts can also help residents understand what remedies or defenses may be available when a landlord has not met the requirements of this article.
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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