Stoneham, Mass., Bd. of Health Reg. ch. 20 art. XIV (eff. 2005) § 20-120
Housing Fitness Certificate
Operative Text
Whenever a dwelling unit is to be rented, regardless of whether or not it was vacated by a previous tenant(s) or was previously occupied, a Housing Fitness Certificate evidencing compliance with the standards set forth in the State Sanitary Code, Article II, Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation (105 CMR 410.000 et. seq., as amended, adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health), shall be obtained by the owner of the dwelling unit (or the owner’s authorized agent) from the Board of Health and or its Agent, prior to occupancy by the new tenant(s).
Section 20-120 of Stoneham's Board of Health Regulations requires that before any new tenant moves into a dwelling unit — whether the unit was previously occupied or not — the property owner must obtain a Housing Fitness Certificate from the Board of Health. This certificate confirms that the unit meets the minimum habitability standards established by the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410.000 et seq.). The requirement applies each time a unit is rented, regardless of the circumstances of the prior tenancy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 20-120, compliant property owners in Stoneham obtain a Housing Fitness Certificate from the Board of Health or its authorized agent before allowing any new tenant to take occupancy — even if the unit was recently inspected or the prior tenant left voluntarily. Operators generally schedule inspections well in advance of a planned rental to ensure the unit meets State Sanitary Code Article II standards and to avoid delays in occupancy. Maintaining records of each certificate for every rental cycle is a common practice among operators managing multiple units.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 20-120 establishes that a tenant moving into a Stoneham dwelling unit is entitled to have that unit certified as fit for habitation before occupancy begins, with the Housing Fitness Certificate issued by the Board of Health confirming compliance with the State Sanitary Code. If a landlord has not obtained this certificate prior to move-in, a tenant may consider contacting the Stoneham Board of Health to inquire about the unit's compliance status. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Massachusetts housing law can help explain what options may be available when this requirement has not been met.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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