Belchertown, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 78 § 78-5
Standards for adjusting rents (Belchertown Mobile Home Parks)
Operative Text
A. The Board may make individual or general adjustments, either upward or downward, as may be necessary to assure that rents for mobile home park accommodations are established on levels which yield to owners a fair net operating income for such units. 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 or such other rates of return as the Board, on the basis of evidence presented before it, deems more appropriate to the circumstances of the case. C. Fair market value shall be assessed valuation of the property or such other valuation as the Board, on the basis of evidence presented before it, deems more appropriate to the circumstances of the case. D. The Board may establish further standards and rules consistent with the foregoing.
Belchertown, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 78 § 78-5 establishes the framework by which the Belchertown Rent Control Board may raise or lower rents at mobile home parks to ensure owners receive a "fair net operating income." That income is defined as a return on the property's fair market value—after reasonable operating expenses—benchmarked against prevailing institutional mortgage lending rates or another rate the Board finds appropriate. Fair market value is generally the assessed valuation of the property, though the Board may accept alternative valuations supported by evidence. The Board also retains authority to adopt additional standards consistent with these principles.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 78 § 78-5, mobile home park operators in Belchertown who believe their current rents do not yield a fair net operating income may petition the Board for an upward adjustment. Compliant operators typically document all reasonable operating expenses, the property's assessed or alternative fair market value, and prevailing institutional first-mortgage lending rates to support their position before the Board. Maintaining thorough financial records and being prepared to present evidence at a Board hearing are practices generally associated with a well-supported rent adjustment request.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 78 § 78-5 limits rent increases at Belchertown mobile home parks to amounts the Board determines are necessary to provide owners a fair net operating income—not simply whatever an owner requests. Tenants have the right to participate in Board proceedings where rent adjustments are considered, and presenting evidence about operating expenses or property valuation can be part of that process. Residents who believe a proposed adjustment does not meet the standards set out in this provision may raise that concern before the Board or consult a tenant-rights organization for general guidance on the process.
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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