A Somerville law taking effect Oct. 14 requires rental-property owners to tell tenants in writing within 48 hours that they are selling their home.
The Notice of Building Sale Ordinance says owners must deliver a Notice of Building Sale form either in person and get a signed acknowledgment, or by certified mail; post the form where tenants can see it; give contact information; reveal the asking price; and show tenants where to turn for housing help at the City’s Office of Housing Stability.
“This Ordinance is about basic decency and fairness,” said Ben Ewen-Campen, city councilor for Ward 3. “We’ve also unfortunately learned through experience that it is necessary, so that Somerville residents aren’t caught unaware when their building is put up for sale.”
A bill called the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act is in the works at the state level to let renters put the Somerville law’s information into action. With warning and the purchase price, tenants could organize and buy their building from the owner directly. The city has its own version pitched in home rule petition before the Legislature for a Tenant Right to Purchase.
The Somerville form will be available on the Housing Stability website in October with additional information. Questions can be sent to buildingsale@somervillema.gov.
Tenants who find out their building is for sale without notice from the property owner can ask the office for housing help online, by phone at (617) 625-6600, Ext. 2581, or by calling 311.
“Tenants shouldn’t be the last to know their home is for sale,” mayor Jake Wilson said. “More time crucially can mean more options for staying in the community they call home.”
