IPSWICH – Public Health Director Colleen Fermon and the Ipswich Public Health Department share that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has updated its minimum standards for housing, ensuring safety and security for all who live in town.
The updated Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation went into effect on May 12 and apply to both owner-occupied and rental units.
The state regulation addresses building and plumbing standards, electrical and fire safety standards, and health codes. The state law also lays out a community’s inspection procedures, including types of violations, time frames for corrective action, reinspections, and the processes for building condemnation and demolition.
The Ipswich Public Health Department is responsible for enforcing state sanitary codes.
“These regulations clearly lay out the legal requirements and expectations for anyone who owns a housing unit,” Director Fermon said. “It also gives the Town the tools it needs to ensure our residents live in safe and healthy conditions.”
In preparation for the regulatory update, the Community Sanitation Program (CSP) revised the following priority guidance and resource documents to assist local health departments:
- Notice of Occupants’ Legal Rights and Responsibilities
- Guidance on Housing Code Temperature Requirements
- Guidance on Submetering of Water and Sewer
- Submetering of Water and Sewer Certification Form
The CSP also offers new, user-friendly guidance documents related to excess moisture and pest control to assist owners and occupants.
