Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.71 § 8.71.050
Non-waivability
Operative Text
The provisions of this ordinance may not be waived, and any term of any lease, contract or other agreement which purports to waive or limit a tenant's or former homeowner's substantive or procedural rights under this ordinance is contrary to public policy, unenforceable, and void.
Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.71 § 8.71.050 establishes that the protections created by this ordinance cannot be signed away or contracted out of. Any clause in a lease, contract, or other agreement that attempts to waive or restrict the rights the ordinance grants — whether those rights are substantive or procedural — is treated as contrary to public policy and has no legal effect. The provision applies equally to tenants and former homeowners covered by the ordinance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 8.71 § 8.71.050, lease terms or contract clauses that attempt to limit or eliminate a tenant's or former homeowner's rights under this ordinance are void and unenforceable regardless of whether both parties agreed to them. Operators who comply with this provision generally review their lease agreements to ensure no language purports to waive the ordinance's protections. Including such language does not create an enforceable limitation and may signal a compliance gap worth addressing.
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 § 8.71.050 means that even if a lease or other agreement contains language that appears to give up rights under this ordinance, that language carries no legal weight. Tenants and former homeowners retain the ordinance's protections regardless of what a signed document says. Those who believe a landlord is relying on such a clause to deny them rights may consider raising the provision as a defense in any relevant proceeding, filing a complaint with the Cambridge Rent Control Board if applicable, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information.
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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