Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.71 § 8.71.020
Definitions
Operative Text
"Applicable laws" means all controlling applicable federal, state and local statutes, regulations, ordinances and administrative rules and orders that have the effect of law, as well as all applicable final, non-appealable judicial opinions. "Entity" means a business organization, or any other kind of organization, including without limitation a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability corporation, limited liability partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, development or project, or any other category of organization, private or public, and any employee, agent, servant or other representative of such entity. "Former Homeowner" means any natural person or group of natural persons who, prior to foreclosure of a housing accommodation, had been the title owner or owners of such housing accommodation, or who has a legal or beneficial interest in the housing accommodation by dissolution of marriage, separation agreement, survivorship, devise, or intestate succession, and who at the time of foreclosure actually occupied such housing accommodation as a resident or residents. "Foreclosing Owner" means any natural person or entity that holds title in any capacity, directly or indirectly without limitation, including, whether in its own name, as trustee or as beneficiary, to a housing accommodation that has been foreclosed upon and either (1) held or owned a mortgage or other security interest in the housing accommodation at any point prior to the foreclosure of the housing accommodation, or is the subsidiary, parent, trustee, or agent thereof; or (2) is an institutional mortgagee that acquires or holds title to the housing accommodation; or (3) is the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. "Landlord" means owner of record, or lessor or sub-lessor of an owner of record, or any other person, project, housing development, or other entity entitled either to receive rent for the use and occupancy of any rental unit or to maintain an action for possession of a rental unit, or an agent, representative, successor, or assignee of any of the foregoing. "Lease non-renewal or expiration" means a provision in a written rental agreement for a housing accommodation or rental unit that the lease will expire either as of a fixed date, or at the election of the owner for the failure of the tenant to take certain affirmative action. "Notice to Quit" means any written notice sent by a landlord or a foreclosing owner to a tenant or former homeowner of a residential rental unit or housing accommodation seeking to terminate the tenant's tenancy or the former homeowner's occupancy of such rental unit or housing accommodation. "Owner" means any person or entity that holds title to one or more dwelling units in any manner including but not limited to a partnership, corporation or trust. For purposes of this ordinance the term "owner" shall include one who manages, controls, or customarily accepts rent on behalf of the owner. "Property" means a parcel of land along with all fixtures, structures and improvements thereupon, located in the City of Cambridge, that is assessed and taxed as an undivided whole. "Rental Unit" means a non-owner-occupied room or group of related rooms within a dwelling used or intended for use by one family or household for living, sleeping, cooking and eating that is not a short term rental unit as set forth in Article 4, Section 4.60 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. "Skilled Nursing Facility" means a health facility or a distinct part of a hospital that provides, at a minimum, skilled nursing care and supportive care to patients whose primary medical need is the availability of skilled nursing care on an extended basis. Such facility must provide 24-hour inpatient care, an activity program, and medical, nursing, dietary, and pharmaceutical services. Additionally, the facility must provide effective arrangements, confirmed in writing, through which services required by the patients but not regularly provided within the facility can be obtained promptly when needed. "Tenancy" means occupation or use of a dwelling unit under an express or implied rental agreement, including through a lease. "Tenant" means any person who inhabits or is entitled to inhabit a dwelling unit under a rental agreement, including through a lease.
Section 8.71.020 of the Cambridge Code of Ordinances establishes the foundational vocabulary for the city's tenant protections by precisely defining key terms used throughout Chapter 8.71. These definitions determine who qualifies as a 'Tenant,' 'Landlord,' 'Foreclosing Owner,' or 'Former Homeowner,' and what counts as a 'Rental Unit,' 'Tenancy,' or 'Notice to Quit.' The scope of these definitions shapes which people, properties, and situations fall under the ordinance's protections and obligations. Notably, short-term rental units as defined under the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance are explicitly excluded from the definition of 'Rental Unit.'
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.71 § 8.71.020, the definition of 'Landlord' is broad, encompassing not only the owner of record but also lessors, sub-lessors, agents, representatives, successors, and assignees who are entitled to receive rent or maintain a possession action. Similarly, 'Owner' includes anyone who manages, controls, or customarily accepts rent on behalf of a title holder, meaning operational responsibility—not just formal ownership—can bring a party within the ordinance's reach. Operators who understand these definitions generally ensure that all parties acting on their behalf are aware of the obligations Chapter 8.71 imposes, since agents and representatives may themselves fall within its scope.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.71 § 8.71.020 defines 'Tenant' to include any person who inhabits or is entitled to inhabit a dwelling unit under an express or implied rental agreement, which means protections under Chapter 8.71 may apply even without a formal written lease. The definition of 'Notice to Quit' covers any written notice seeking to terminate a tenancy, and 'Lease non-renewal or expiration' captures provisions that end a tenancy by a fixed date or at the owner's election. Tenants who receive such notices and believe the ordinance's protections apply to their situation may find it useful to review the full Chapter 8.71 framework, consult a tenant-rights organization in Cambridge, or inquire with the Cambridge Rent Control Board about whether a complaint or defense may be available.
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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