Abington, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 35 § 35-6

[Amended 6-6-2016 ATM by Art. 9] A. An applicant who intends to convert a rental building to a condominium or cooperative ownership is required to give each tenant in such building notice of this intention. Such notice must precede application for a condominium or cooperative conversion permit as per § 35-5B . B. No applicant will be allowed to bring an action to recover possession of the premises (i.e., to evict a tenant) within the 12 months following the recording of a master deed, or within 24 months of such recording in the case of low and moderate income, person with a disability or elderly tenants as defined in § 35-3 . C. The notice of intention to convert must set forth generally the rights of a tenant under this Bylaw and must include a copy of this Bylaw as an attachment. The notice shall be mailed postage prepaid by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the tenant at the unit or any other mailing address provided by the tenant. D. The Board shall have the right to deny an applicant a condominium or cooperative conversion permit if sufficient testimony is presented indicating that the tenants' right under § 35-6A to G of this Bylaw were violated prior to the application's filing date. The Board shall also have the right to revoke a permit if sufficient testimony at a subsequent hearing called upon petition of five tenants, or if the conversion unit has less than five tenants, upon petition of a majority of the tenants of the unit, is presented to indicate that tenants' rights have been violated during the applicable twelve- or twenty-four-month periods. The Board shall exercise these rights when it determines that the intent of this Bylaw has been so compromised. E. No tenant may be given notice by the applicant to vacate the premises within the applicable twelve- or twenty-four-month period provided in § 35-6A above, except by reason of substantial violations of the terms of the tenancy. F. Any tenant under a lease entered into a subsequent to the effective date of this Bylaw shall have the right at any time after receipt of a notice to convert pursuant to this Bylaw, to terminate the lease upon notice. Such termination shall be without penalty or other termination charge to the tenant. G. Within 60 days after recording a master deed pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 183A , the applicant shall offer to sell each unit or proposed unit to the tenant who rents or leases that unit. Such an offer shall be in the form of a properly executed purchase and sale agreement. The terms and conditions shall be substantially the same as, or more favorable than, those offered to the general public for the 90 days following expiration of said tenants' right to purchase pursuant to 5.4(e) of Chapter 527 of the Acts of 1983. The tenants' right to first purchase expires 90 days after receipt of the applicant's offer to sell. H. The tenant in a conversion condominium or cooperative shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the applicant to enter the unit in order to inspect the premises, obtain data or show the unit to prospective or actual workers or purchasers. The applicant shall give the tenant at least two days' notice of his intent and may enter only at reasonable times. I. It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any act of harassment against a tenant which is designed to, or is likely to result in the termination of the tenancy by the tenant. Conduct which shall be considered harassment shall include, but not be limited to, the following: failure of the landowner to make repairs in a timely and professional manner; imposition by the landowner of unjustifiable increases in the rental price of a unit; failure of the landowner to provide the tenant with essential services; verbal harassment and/or threats by the landowner against the tenant.