Fitchburg, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 79 § 79-1

When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: APPLICANT Any landlord, person, entity, trust, partnership or corporation who files an application pursuant to § 79-4 of this chapter. CLERK The City Clerk of the City of Fitchburg. CONDOMINIUM A condominium as defined in Chapter 183A of the General Laws. CONVERT To offer for sale any rental housing unit existing at any time on or after the effective date of passage as a condominium, or the offer for sale of shares in a cooperative authorizing the owner thereof to occupy a rental housing unit existing at any time on or after the effective date of passage, except for the offer for sale under the exemptions from application for permit stated in § 79-2 or an offer for sale under § 79-4A(2) . COOPERATIVE A cooperative as defined in MGL c. 157, § 3A . [1] COUNCIL The City Council for the City of Fitchburg. HARASSMENT Includes but is not limited to bringing an action to evict a tenant of a rental housing unit without cause; failing to make repairs or supply services which render a rental housing unit not habitable; or making any changes, structural or otherwise, which render a rental housing unit not habitable. Absent evidence to the contrary, it shall be presumed that any eviction of a tenant from a rental housing unit during any of the tenancy periods covered by §§ 79-2 and 79-6 , except for nonpayment of rent, is without cause. HARDSHIP The standards for hardship shall be determined by the Council pursuant to its power to issue regulations under § 79-3 of this chapter. LANDLORD Any person or entity who holds title to rental housing units or is entitled to receive rents, including without limitation any individual, corporation, trust or partnership. LEASE Any rental housing agreement, written, oral or implied, between a landlord and tenant for use or occupancy of a rental housing unit. RENTAL HOUSING UNIT Any unit or part of a building or structure, including land appurtenant thereto, or any other real property, rented or offered for rent for living or dwelling purposes; excluding rooming and boarding houses, rental housing units in a building containing eight or fewer dwelling units, a rental housing unit as to which it can be shown with respect to its initial sale after the recording of a master deed that purchase and sale agreement has been entered into prior to the effective date of passage, a canceled deposit check being conclusive proof of the transaction or a unit deed recorded in the Worcester County Registry of Deeds prior to the effective date of passage, and a rental housing unit in a cooperative for which a purchase and sale agreement for stock has been entered into prior to the effective date of passage, a canceled deposit check being conclusive proof of the transaction or a transfer of shares of stock and proprietary lease having been executed. TENANT Any person entitled to the possession, use or occupancy of any rental housing unit, including a subtenant, lessee or sublessee. [1] Editor's Note: Repealed by St. 1983, c. 574, § 14. See MGL c. 157B, § 1 et seq.