Lexington, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 63 § 63-2
Definitions (Lexington Housing Conversion and Eviction)
Operative Text
As used in this by-law, the definitions set forth in Section 3 of Chapter 527 of the Laws of 1983 shall apply, unless the context clearly requires otherwise or unless otherwise specified in this section of the by-law. CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION BOARD The citizen board which administers this by-law. CONVERSION The recording of a master deed in order to make the initial sale and transfer of title to a residential accommodation as one or more condominium accommodations pursuant to an individual accommodation deed or deeds or, in the case of a cooperative, an individual proprietary lease or leases. LOW OR MODERATE INCOME TENANT A tenant who meets the definition of a low or moderate income tenant as defined in Section 3 of Chapter 527 of the Acts of 1983 or a tenant whose income falls within 50% to 120% of the Boston SMSA median income (as calculated by the Regional Economist, Boston Office, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), at the time of the conversion. OWNER The individual who holds title to any housing accommodation or any housing subject to conversion, including without limitation, a partnership, corporation, or trust, and owner's agents or assigns. TENANT A person or group of persons collectively entitled to occupy a housing accommodation pursuant to a rental agreement written, oral, express or implied, including a tenant at will.
Section 63-2 of Lexington, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 63 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the town's condominium conversion by-law. Key terms — including 'Conversion,' 'Owner,' 'Tenant,' and 'Low or Moderate Income Tenant' — are given specific meanings that govern how the rest of the by-law is interpreted and applied. Where a term is not separately defined in § 63-2, the definitions found in Section 3 of Chapter 527 of the Acts of 1983 (Massachusetts state law) fill in the gaps. The income threshold for 'Low or Moderate Income Tenant' is tied to 50%–120% of the Boston SMSA median income as calculated by HUD's Boston Office.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and their agents subject to Lexington's condominium conversion rules should be aware that § 63-2 defines 'Owner' broadly to include partnerships, corporations, trusts, and their agents or assigns — meaning the by-law's obligations extend beyond individual titleholders. Compliant operators familiarize themselves with how 'Conversion' is defined (the recording of a master deed triggering initial sale or transfer) so they can identify precisely when the by-law's requirements are activated. Because income thresholds for protected tenants are pegged to HUD's Boston SMSA median income figures at the time of conversion, operators generally track current HUD data when assessing tenant eligibility under CH. 63.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 63-2 of Lexington's CH. 63, the term 'Tenant' is defined broadly to include anyone occupying a housing accommodation under a rental agreement — written or oral, express or implied, including tenants at will — which means a wide range of occupants may have standing under the by-law. Tenants whose household income falls between 50% and 120% of the Boston SMSA median income may qualify for 'Low or Moderate Income Tenant' protections at the time of a conversion. Tenants who believe they may be affected by a condominium conversion can look to the Condominium Conversion Board — the citizen board that administers CH. 63 — as a starting point, and may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Massachusetts condominium conversion law.
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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