Condominium and Cooperative Conversion Ordinance
Learn about the Condominium and Cooperative Conversion Ordinance, and what it means for landlords and tenants.
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12 CHANNEL STREET
9TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02210
About the ordinance
On March 8, 2021, the City of Boston amended the Condominium and Cooperative Conversion Ordinance (the “Conversion Ordinance”) of 1999. The ordinance applies to any residential property built before December 1983 that has four or more rental units, where the owner intends to convert the property to a residential condominium or cooperative use. This would be done either through:
- the conversion of the existing units, or
- through the demolition of the current units and replacement of them with a new condominium or cooperative building.
The ordinance requires that tenants be provided notice of the intent to convert. The notice informs tenants of the rights and benefits they have in a conversion. All tenants have certain rights. Tenants who meet certain eligibility requirements have additional rights. Tenants eligible for additional rights are those who are:
- are 62 or older
- have a disability, or
- have a low to moderate income (less than 80 percent of Area Median Income).
The conversion process begins as soon as the owner forms an intent to convert the property to a condominium or cooperative. The owner must immediately provide tenants a one-year notice.
The ordinance requires any landlord planning to convert a property with four or more residential units into condominiums or a cooperative to secure a:
- Conversion Plan from the Mayor's Office of Housing, and
- Conversion Permit from the Inspectional Services Department.
Fees for the Conversion Plan and Permit are $1,000 per unit, payable to the City of Boston, upon applying for a Conversion Plan.
Landlords must apply to the Mayor's Office of Housing for a Condominium or Cooperative Conversion Plan, even if all the units are vacant. The landlord must submit an application within one month of notifying tenants of the intent to convert.
Contact informationIf you have any questions or would like to submit documentation, please email condocoop@boston.gov or call 617-635-3880 to leave a message and get a call back.
Tenant Notification Form
The ordinance requires landlords planning to end a tenancy agreement to convert a unit to a condominium or cooperative unit to provide the tenant with a Tenant Notification Form. The form spells out the tenant’s rights and benefits.
Landlords are required to provide the tenant with the Notice in their primary language. It must be delivered as soon as the landlord has decided to convert a unit to a condominium or cooperative unit. A copy must also be supplied to the Mayor's Office of Housing. You can download and print the document below. The Tenant Notification Form is available in 11 languages.
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12 CHANNEL STREET
9TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MA 02210
