Natick, Mass., Bd. of Health Reg. ch. XI (2002) § 6
MAINTENANCE
Operative Text
The owner shall be responsible for compliance with the
provisions of Subsections 6.l, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, and 6.9 of
Section 6 of these minimum standards.
6.1 Every foundation, floor, wall, ceiling, door, window, roof or
other part of a dwelling shall be kept in good repair and
capable of the use intended by its design.
6.2 Every inside and outside stair, every porch and every
appurtenance thereto shall be so constructed as to be safe to
use and capable of supporting the load that normal use may
cause to be placed thereon; and shall be kept in sound
condition and good repair. Every stairway having three or
more steps shall be properly bannistered and safely
balustraded.
6.3 Railings or parapets shall be provided around porches that are
higher than thirty inches above ground level, balconies, roofs
used for egress or tenancy purposes and/or similar places.
Such protective railings or parapets shall be properly
balustered and be not less than three feet in height.
6.4 Every roof, wall, window, exterior door and hatchway shall be
free from holes or leaks that would permit the entrance of
water within a dwelling and be a cause of dampness.
6.5 Every foundation, floor and wall shall be free from chronic
dampness.
6.6 Every dwelling shall be free from rodents or vermin. Rodent
or vermin extermination and rodent proofing and vermin
proofing may be required by the Board of Health. Rodent and
vermin extermination and the responsibility therefor shall be
carried out in accordance with Subsection 8.9 of Section 8 of
these minimum standards.
6.7 Every dwelling shall be clean and free from garbage or
rubbish. When a dwelling or dwelling unit is not reasonably
clean or free from, garbage or rubbish, the Board of Health
may cause the responsible person in accordance with the
provisions of Subsection 8.3 through 8.9 inclusive of Section 8
of these minimum standards to put the dwelling or dwelling
unit in a cleanly condition.
6.8 When a wall or ceiling within a dwelling has deteriorated so
as to provide a harborage for rodents or vermin, or such wall or
ceiling has become seriously stained or soiled, the Board of
Health may order the owner to clean, repair, paint, whitewash,
or paper such walls or ceilings. Nothing in this standard shall
be so construed as to place upon the non-resident owner
responsibilities for cleanliness contained in Subsection 8.5 of
Section 8 of these minimum standards.
6.9 Every water closet compartment floor and bathroom floor shall
be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably
impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be kept in
a clean and sanitary condition.Section 6 of the Natick Board of Health Regulation Ch. XI sets out minimum structural and maintenance standards that all dwellings must meet. It covers the integrity of foundations, floors, walls, ceilings, doors, windows, and roofs; the safety of stairs, porches, and railings; protection from water intrusion and chronic dampness; and the waterproofing of bathroom floors. Owners bear direct responsibility for compliance with Subsections 6.1 through 6.5 and 6.9, while other subsections address cleanliness and pest control with shared or situational responsibility.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Natick Board of Health Reg. Ch. XI § 6 are directly responsible for keeping structural elements—foundations, walls, roofs, stairs, and porches—in good repair and safe condition. Compliant operators routinely inspect railings and balustrades on stairways with three or more steps, ensure porches more than thirty inches above ground have parapets or railings at least three feet high, address any roof or wall leaks promptly, and maintain bathroom floors in a waterproof and sanitary state as required by Subsections 6.1–6.5 and 6.9. Documented inspection and maintenance records can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with these standards.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Natick dwellings are entitled to housing that meets the structural and safety minimums established in Board of Health Reg. Ch. XI § 6, including safe stairs with proper railings, a weathertight exterior, and dry, sanitary bathroom floors. If conditions such as broken railings, water leaks, chronic dampness, or deteriorating floors appear to fall short of Subsections 6.1–6.5 or 6.9, tenants may report concerns to the Natick Board of Health, which has authority to inspect and order corrective action. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources can help explain the range of options available, including raising housing code violations in relevant legal proceedings.
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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