West Stockbridge, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 170 § 170-3
Adjustment of maximum rent (West Stockbridge Mobile Home Parks)
Operative Text
A. The Board shall, by order as provided in the Act, make such individual or general adjustments, either upward or downward, of the maximum rent established by § 170-2 , as may be necessary to remove hardships or correct inequities for both the owner and tenant, and to yield to owners a fair net operating income for such mobile home park accommodations. B. "Fair net operating income" shall be that income which will yield a return, after all reasonable operating expenses, on the fair market value of the property equal to the debt service rate generally available from institutional first mortgage lenders in Berkshire County, Massachusetts or such other rate of return as the Board, on the basis of the evidence presented before it, deems more appropriate to the circumstances of the case. C. The fair market value of the mobile home park shall be the assessed valuation of the property or such other valuations as the Board, on the basis of the evidence presented before it, deems more appropriate to the circumstances of the case. D. The Board, by regulations, may establish further standards and rules consistent with the foregoing. The Board may promulgate a schedule of standard rental increases or decreases for improvement or deterioration in specific services and facilities. E. Refusal to grant adjustments. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Board may refuse to grant an upward adjustment of maximum rent: (a) If it determines that the affected mobile home park accommodation does not comply with state and municipal codes, building codes, other state or local laws or regulations and bylaws regulating the conditions of housing accommodations; and (b) If it determines that such lack of compliance is due to the failure of the owner of the mobile home park accommodation to provide normal and adequate repairs and maintenance. (2) The Board may refuse to make a downward adjustment of maximum rent if it determines that the tenant is more than 60 days in arrears in payment of rent unless such arrearage is due to a withholding of rent under the provisions of MGL c. 239, § 8A ; or if the tenant is in substantial violation of any enforceable rule of the mobile home park; or if the tenant is in violation of any laws, regulations or bylaws which protect the health and safety of other mobile home park residents.
West Stockbridge, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 170 § 170-3 establishes a process by which the local Rent Control Board may adjust the maximum rent for mobile home park accommodations either upward or downward. Adjustments are intended to relieve hardship or correct inequities for both owners and tenants, while ensuring owners receive a 'fair net operating income' tied to prevailing mortgage rates and property valuations in Berkshire County. The provision also sets conditions under which the Board may refuse an upward adjustment—such as when a park fails to meet housing codes due to owner neglect—or refuse a downward adjustment when a tenant is significantly behind on rent or in violation of park rules or health and safety laws.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 170 § 170-3, operators of mobile home parks in West Stockbridge who seek an upward rent adjustment generally demonstrate to the Board that their property is in compliance with applicable state and municipal codes, building codes, and other relevant regulations. Compliant operators typically maintain records of operating expenses, property valuations, and debt service rates from institutional lenders in Berkshire County to support their case for a fair net operating income determination. Owners who have failed to provide normal and adequate repairs and maintenance risk having an upward adjustment request denied by the Board, making ongoing maintenance documentation an important operational practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 170 § 170-3 gives mobile home park residents in West Stockbridge a meaningful avenue to seek downward rent adjustments when services or facilities have deteriorated, and it limits the Board's ability to grant owners rent increases when the park is out of compliance with housing or building codes due to owner neglect. Tenants who believe conditions at their park fall short of legal standards may bring evidence before the Board as part of an adjustment proceeding. Those seeking to understand their options under this provision may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or reviewing the Board's own regulations, which may include a published schedule of standard adjustments tied to specific service changes.
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.
Effective Timeline
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