Wareham, Mass., Bd. of Health Reg. § 13 (2024) § Sec. 13

SECTION 13: Rental Properties

1. Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to protect the safety, health and environment
   of both the occupant(s) of rental housing units and the general public and to maintain
   the quality of life in residential neighborhoods not including hotels or motels. It will
   assist the Board of Health in the enforcement of state and local health and safety
   regulations and provide a baseline for compliance with Chapter II of the State Sanitary
   Code. These regulations exclude hotels and motels; see hotel/motel regulations if
   needed.

2. Definitions: As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
   indicated:
   A. Board of Health - The Board of Health of the Town of Wareham.
   B. Dwelling - Any building or area in a building used or intended for use for human
       habitation, including, but not limited to, apartments, condominiums, cottages,
       guesthouses and rooming houses.
   C. State Sanitary Code (Chapter II) - Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human
       Habitation.
   D. Occupant - Anyone residing overnight in a dwelling.
   E. Owner - Any person who alone or severally with others has legal title to any
       dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit or parcel of land, vacant or otherwise;
       mortgagee in possession; or agent, trustee or other person appointed by the courts.

3. Certificate of Registration:
   A. No person shall rent or lease, or offer to rent or lease, any dwelling or any portion
      of a dwelling to be used for human habitation without first registering with the
      Board of Health.
   B. The Board of Health shall, pursuant to the above subsection, issue a Certificate of
      Registration, which shall be renewed each year (see #6). The Certificate of
      Registration is not transferable. A change in ownership requires a new registration.

4. Intended Use: No rented property shall be utilized outside of its intended use per
   zoning, building, fire, title 5 or any other applicable state/local requirements.

5. Posting of Certificate of Registration: No person shall rent or lease, or offer to rent
   or lease, any dwelling or any portion of a dwelling to be used for human habitation
   without posting a Certificate of Registration provided by the Board of Health.

6. Fee for Registration: There shall be an annual fee of $125.00 to procure a certificate
   of registration. The fee for any additional units owned by the same owner at the same
   address shall be $50.00 per unit. A $50.00 re-inspection fee will be assessed for each
   additional inspection if a unit has failed or if the inspector was unable to enter the unit.
   A $250.00 late fee will be assessed if the registration is not received by April 30th.

7. Inspections: Dwelling units covered by this section shall be scheduled for a State
   Sanitary Code Inspection upon registration.

8. Violations and penalties: Penalties will be assessed according to the Town of
   Wareham 40U by laws. Reference chapter 40U: Adoption of Fines section 3 for rules
   and regulations.

9. Authority:    This regulation is promulgated under the Authority vested in
   Massachusetts M.G.L. 111, Section 31, and in accordance with the State Sanitary Code,
   Chapter II.

. Effective Date:
This regulation shall take effect on November 6, 2024.

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