Everett, Mass., Code of Bylaws art iii habitation § 10-26
Definitions (Everett Art. III Certificate of Habitability)
Operative Text
(a) Owner: any person who alone or severally with others: has legal title to any dwelling, dwelling unit, mobile dwelling unit or parcel of land, vacant or otherwise, including a mobile home park; or has care, charge or control of any dwelling, dwelling unit, mobile dwelling unit or parcel of land vacant or otherwise, including a mobile home park, in any capacity including but not limited to agent, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of the estate of the holder of legal title; or is a mortgagee in possession of any such property; or is an agent, trustee or any other person appointed by the courts and vested with possession or control of any such property; or is an officer or trustee of the association of unit owners of a condominium. Each such person is bound to comply with the provisions of these minimum standards as if he were the owner. Owner also means every person who operates a rooming house. (b) Dwelling: every building or shelter including but not limited to rooming houses and temporary housing used or intended for human habitation and every other structure or condition located within the same lot line whose existence causes or is likely to effect noncompliance with the State Sanitary Code. (c) Dwelling Unit: the room or group of rooms within a dwelling used or intended for use by one family or household for living, sleeping, cooking and eating. Dwelling unit shall also mean condominium unit. (d) Vacant: empty or unoccupied.
Section 10-26 of Everett's Code of Bylaws Art. III establishes the foundational definitions that govern the city's minimum housing standards. The term 'owner' is defined broadly to include not just those holding legal title but also agents, executors, trustees, mortgagees in possession, court-appointed managers, and condominium association officers — each of whom is equally bound by the code's requirements. 'Dwelling' covers any building or shelter used or intended for human habitation, including rooming houses and temporary housing, as well as nearby structures that could cause a sanitary code violation. 'Dwelling unit' refers to the room or group of rooms used by one household for living purposes, including condominium units, while 'vacant' simply means empty or unoccupied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 10-26, the definition of 'owner' is intentionally broad, meaning that property managers, agents, trustees, and condominium association officers bear the same compliance obligations as the titleholder of record. Operators of rooming houses are explicitly included in this definition and are equally subject to Everett's minimum habitation standards. Compliant operators generally ensure that anyone acting on behalf of a property — regardless of their formal role — understands and adheres to the requirements set out in Art. III, since the code treats each such person as an owner.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 10-26 establishes who qualifies as an 'owner' under Everett's habitation code, which matters to tenants because it determines who can be held responsible for maintaining minimum housing standards. If a property is managed by an agent, trustee, or property management company rather than the titleholder directly, that party is still considered an 'owner' under Art. III and is equally bound by the code's requirements. Tenants who believe a responsible party is failing to meet these standards may consider contacting Everett's local housing or inspectional services office, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general guidance on available options.
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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