Amend the City of Lynn Rental Property Inspection Ordinance

The Issue

I am starting this petition on behalf of all property owners in the city of Lynn who live in multi family homes containing less than six rental units.

In 2020 the City of Lynn passed a Rental Property Inspection Ordinance. Mandating the inspection and reinspection of Rental Units.

The Ordinance defines a Rental Unit as:
“Rental unit” shall mean a non-owner occupied room or group of related rooms within a dwelling used or intended for use by one family or household for living, sleeping, cooking and eating. A rental unit shall also mean a non-owner occupied condominium unit...

In my opinion this definition is too broad.  This could mean if you have an in-law apartment for an elderly parent or grandparent that would be considered a "Rental Unit" and you would be subject to this ordinance.  Even if you collect no rent or income from this "Unit"

Many people in the city of Lynn own Multi-Family homes where a parent or grandparent may live on a lower floor and adult children or grandchildren may live on upstairs floors.  These are not "Rental Units" these are family homes where generations choose to live together to love and support one another.

The City of Boston has implemented a similar Rental Property Inspection Ordinance however their ordinance has a specific exemption towards "rental units located in dwellings containing six (6) or fewer rental units, one of which is occupied by the owner"

I write this petition in hopes that the city council will propose a similar amendment to the City of Lynn Rental Inspection Ordinance in order to not punish those home owners who choose to live in multi generational homes with undue mental and financial stress of registration and inspection of rental units which are lived in by their children and grandchildren.

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The Issue

I am starting this petition on behalf of all property owners in the city of Lynn who live in multi family homes containing less than six rental units.

In 2020 the City of Lynn passed a Rental Property Inspection Ordinance. Mandating the inspection and reinspection of Rental Units.

The Ordinance defines a Rental Unit as:
“Rental unit” shall mean a non-owner occupied room or group of related rooms within a dwelling used or intended for use by one family or household for living, sleeping, cooking and eating. A rental unit shall also mean a non-owner occupied condominium unit...

In my opinion this definition is too broad.  This could mean if you have an in-law apartment for an elderly parent or grandparent that would be considered a "Rental Unit" and you would be subject to this ordinance.  Even if you collect no rent or income from this "Unit"

Many people in the city of Lynn own Multi-Family homes where a parent or grandparent may live on a lower floor and adult children or grandchildren may live on upstairs floors.  These are not "Rental Units" these are family homes where generations choose to live together to love and support one another.

The City of Boston has implemented a similar Rental Property Inspection Ordinance however their ordinance has a specific exemption towards "rental units located in dwellings containing six (6) or fewer rental units, one of which is occupied by the owner"

I write this petition in hopes that the city council will propose a similar amendment to the City of Lynn Rental Inspection Ordinance in order to not punish those home owners who choose to live in multi generational homes with undue mental and financial stress of registration and inspection of rental units which are lived in by their children and grandchildren.

The Decision Makers

Jared C Nicholson
Jared C Nicholson
Mayor Lynn Massachusetts
Buzzy Barton
Buzzy Barton
Council Vice President, Councilor At-Large, Lynn Massachusetts
Brian M. Field
Brian M. Field
Councilor At-Large Lynn Massachusetts
Brian P. LaPierre
Brian P. LaPierre
Councilor At-Large Lynn Massachusetts
Hong L. Net
Hong L. Net
Councilor At-Large Lynn Massachusetts

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Petition created on February 17, 2022