Winthrop, Mass., Code of Ordinances ch. 8.40 (2023) § 8.40.040
Registration with board of health; issuance of certificate of registration
Operative Text
A. Any Owner who shall offer for rent or lease any Rental Unit in Town to be used for human habitation shall first register with the Board to obtain a Certificate of Registration. All non-exempt Rental Units must be inspected at least once every four years. The Town Manager shall develop a phase in plan so that a minimum of twenty-five (25) percent of the units shall be inspected annually beginning October 1, 2013. B. During such inspection, and prior to obtaining a Certificate of Registration, the Board or an Inspector shall determine the number of persons the property being inspected may legally accommodate and whether the Rental Unit meets the standards set forth in the State Sanitary Code and other applicable health and safety codes. C. A Certificate of Registration shall be issued by the Inspector in accordance with the State Sanitary Code and other applicable health and safety codes. The Certificate of Registration shall include a statement that said Rental Unit is in compliance with all applicable codes at the time of inspection. D. Said Certificates of Registration are not transferable to subsequent owners of the Rental Unit. E. Failure to register, obtain and/or to post the Certificate of Registration constitutes a violation of this chapter.
Under Winthrop Code of Ordinances ch. 8.40 § 8.40.040, any rental unit offered for human habitation in Winthrop must be registered with the Board of Health and hold a valid Certificate of Registration before it can be rented or leased. Inspections are required at least once every four years, during which an inspector verifies that the unit meets the State Sanitary Code and other applicable health and safety standards, and determines the legal occupancy capacity. Certificates of Registration are not transferable when a property changes ownership, and failure to register, obtain, or post the certificate constitutes a violation of the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 8.40 § 8.40.040, compliant property owners in Winthrop register each non-exempt rental unit with the Board of Health and secure a Certificate of Registration before placing any unit on the rental market. Operators generally ensure their units are available for inspection at least once every four years and that the certificate is visibly posted as required, since failure to register, obtain, or post it is treated as a violation. Because certificates are non-transferable, owners who acquire an existing rental property typically initiate a new registration rather than relying on any prior owner's certificate.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8.40.040 of the Winthrop Code of Ordinances entitles tenants to live in a rental unit that has been inspected, registered, and issued a Certificate of Registration confirming compliance with the State Sanitary Code and applicable health and safety codes. Tenants can check whether their unit holds a current certificate and, if one is absent or was never obtained, may contact the Winthrop Board of Health to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations can help renters understand how a landlord's failure to comply with § 8.40.040 might be raised in relevant proceedings.
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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