Somerville Strengthens Tenant Protections in Condo Conversion Ordinance

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is sharing that starting today, October 1, 2025, updates to the City of Somerville’s Condominium Conversion Ordinance take effect. These updates are part of the City’s continued efforts to prevent residential displacement and enact stronger protections for tenants.  

“Amidst an ongoing housing crisis, we must act to protect our residents,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. “These reforms are another step to keeping long-time residents in their homes and preserving the social fabric of our neighborhoods.” 

Updates include: 

• Extended Notification Period: Property owners must now give two (2) years notice to the Condominium Review Board—up from one (1) year—prior to receiving a final permit from the City authorizing the conversion of a vacant and formerly tenanted unit to a lawful condominium.
• Expanded Relocation Assistance: Property owners must now pay increased relocation payments for tenanted units. Relocation payments have increased from $7,546 to $14K (subject to annual Consumer Price Index adjustments) for all tenants and tenants entitled to enhanced protections (seniors, disabled, low-moderate income) have an increase in relocation benefits from $12,577 to $18K. 

About Condominium Conversion 

Condominium conversion is the process for local property owners who intend to remove rental units from the housing market and convert them into condominiums for sale. In Somerville, this process is regulated by Somerville’s Condo Review Board (CRB) under the City’s condominium conversion ordinance. Suggested updates to the ordinance were presented to the City Council and approved at their August 28 meeting. 

About the Condominium Conversion Ordinance Updates 

Ordinance updates stem from the work of an Ordinance Working Group convened by the CRB in response to an order submitted by City Councilors and concerns raised by constituents. They are also grounded in findings from the Anti-Displacement Task Force (ADTF). The ADTF conducted extensive community outreach and released detailed reports and recommendations earlier this year, which are available at voice.somervillema.gov/adtf. 

For more information, please visit somervillema.gov/condoconversion.  

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

If you need assistance translating or understanding this information, please call 311 (617-666-3311) or contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov. The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.