Salisbury, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 145 § 145-5
Regulating rents (Salisbury Mobile Home Parks)
Operative Text
A. The Rent Board established under the provisions of § 145-2 shall make such individual or general adjustments of rents, either upward or downward, of the maximums established by § 145-3 and by this section for any mobile home park accommodation or any class of mobile home park accommodations as may be necessary to assure that rents for mobile home park accommodations are established at levels which will yield to owners a fair net operating income for such accommodations. For the purposes of this section, the word "class" shall include all mobile home park accommodations within said Town of Salisbury, or any categories of such mobile home park accommodations based on size, age, construction, rent, geographic, or other common characteristics providing such Board has by regulation defined any such categories. B. The following factors, among other relevant factors which such Rent Board by regulation may define, shall be considered in determining whether a controlled rental unit yields a fair net operating income: (1) Increases or decreases in property taxes; (2) Unavoidable increases or any decreases in operating and maintenance expenses; (3) Capital improvement of the housing accommodation as distinguished from ordinary repair, replacement and maintenance; (4) Increases or decreases in living space, services, or equipment; (5) Substantial deterioration of the dwelling units, other than as a result of ordinary wear and tear, attributable to the park owner; and (6) Failure to perform ordinary repair, replacement and maintenance. C. The Rent Board by regulation may establish further standards and rules consistent with the foregoing. The Rent Board may promulgate a schedule of standard rental increases or decreases for improvement or deterioration in specific services and facilities. D. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Rent Board may refuse to grant an upward adjustment of maximum rent if it determines that the affected mobile home park accommodation does not comply with the State Sanitary Code or the Town of Salisbury Building Code, or any other applicable municipal code, bylaw, or state law, regulating the conditions of housing accommodations, and if it determines that such lack of compliance is due to the failure of the owner to provide normal and adequate repairs and maintenance. The Rent Board may refuse to make a downward adjustment of maximum rent if it determines that the tenant is more than 60 days in arrears in payment of rent unless such arrearage is due to a withholding of rent under the provisions of MGL c. 239, § 8A , or if the tenant is in substantial violation of any enforceable rule of the mobile home park, or if the tenant is in violation of any laws or bylaws which protect the health and safety of other mobile home park residents.
Salisbury, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 145 § 145-5 establishes a framework under which the Salisbury Rent Board may adjust the maximum rents for mobile home park accommodations—either upward or downward—to ensure owners receive a fair net operating income. The Board weighs factors such as changes in property taxes, operating costs, capital improvements, changes in living space or services, and the condition of the units when deciding whether an adjustment is warranted. The provision also gives the Board authority to withhold an upward rent adjustment if a park owner has failed to maintain code compliance, and to withhold a downward adjustment if a tenant is significantly behind on rent or is violating park rules or applicable laws.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 145 § 145-5, mobile home park owners in Salisbury who seek an upward rent adjustment generally demonstrate that their operating costs, taxes, or capital improvements justify a change in the maximum rent. Compliant operators typically keep their properties in conformance with the State Sanitary Code, the Salisbury Building Code, and other applicable regulations, since the Rent Board may deny an upward adjustment when code violations stem from an owner's failure to provide normal repairs and maintenance. Maintaining thorough records of expenses, improvements, and maintenance activities supports a well-documented petition before the Rent Board.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 145 § 145-5 gives mobile home park tenants in Salisbury a meaningful protection: the Rent Board may refuse to grant a landlord's request for a higher maximum rent if the park does not meet applicable housing codes due to the owner's failure to maintain the property. Tenants who believe their accommodations fall below required standards may bring those conditions to the Rent Board's attention as part of any rent adjustment proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand how to present relevant information—such as evidence of deterioration or unaddressed repairs—within the Board's 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.
Effective Timeline
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Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
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