Chelsea, MA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Section 6-2 requires every non-owner-occupied rental unit in Chelsea to obtain a certificate of habitability confirming it meets Chapter II of the Massachusetts Sanitary Code, 105 CMR 410. The inspectional services department (ISD), directed by its director and the board of health, issues the certificate after confirming the unit has separate sleeping, sanitation and living areas and satisfies the state code's other standards. Every rental unit must renew its certificate at least once every five years, and again whenever a new tenant takes occupancy, though a certificate obtained for a new tenant is valid for the lesser of five years or until the next tenancy change.

Owner-occupied units are exempt, but a unit owned by a trust or LLC is not, even if occupied by a principal of that entity. ISD may issue a temporary certificate for up to 30 days if an owner needs time to complete repairs and occupant safety is not endangered. box does not satisfy the address requirement. Inspections also confirm minimum unit size: at least 150 square feet of floor space for the first occupant and 100 square feet for each additional occupant, counting kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms but excluding bathrooms, laundry areas, foyers, corridors, closets and storage space. Bedroom doors may not have locking devices, other than a privacy lockset operable from inside without a key.