Updated 7/25/25

Below is a breakdown of how property owners can apply to the Chilmark Lease to Locals Program. Please read these instructions closely. It is important you take each of these steps to qualify for the incentive program.

Chilmark Lease to Locals Program Details

1. Review the property owner requirements to participate in the Lease to Locals Program:
   1. The property must be located in the Chilmark town limits. 
   2. Full time tenants can not have occupied the property for greater than 12 months. If tenants have occupied the property for less than 12 months they must not currently be on a Long-Term Lease.
   3. The Housing Unit must be a legally permitted dwelling unit and each bedroom in the property must have two means of egress. The Housing Unit must meet basic health and safety criteria as required by Massachusetts Law, local regulations, and State Building Code.
2. Review the chart below that explains the incentives that property owners are eligible for based on the unit size and number of qualified tenants. Note, incentives are a one time deal and do not roll over year over year. One incentive will be paid for each qualified tenant, with a maximum of three incentive payments per Housing Unit. Property Owners are eligible to participate with up to two (2) properties they own:                                                                    
3. Qualified household and tenant criteria is as follows:
   1. One or more of the members of the household must be a qualified tenant. 
   2. A Qualified Tenant is not of blood relation to the Qualified Property Owner and who can show gainful employment in Duke’s county or proof of sustaining government subsidy.
   3. Qualifications for Incentive: The following household members are included in the  incentives – maximum of three incentives per household for one year:
      1. Qualified Tenant 
      2. A dependent child of a Qualified Tenant 
      3. Any protected-class Adult listed as a dependent on Qualified Tenant tax form 
4. The household must have a gross annual income that is not more than 150% of the Area Median Income for Dukes County (Effective May 6, 2025)

   

5. Applications to the Lease to Locals program must be submitted within 30 days of the start of the lease.

Chilmark Lease to Locals Incentive Processing Steps

1. List the property for rent and start screening tenants. While screening for tenants, be sure to adhere to the following program requirements and information:
   1. Property owners cannot rent their property for a rate higher than the rental caps (below), based on unit size:
   2. Unknown Charges: Any recurring charges in addition to rent or standard utilities may be counted toward the Program rent cap. All fees listed on a lease (including rent, utilities, and other charges) are subject to review and approval by the Program Administrator. Any fees deemed unreasonable or viewed as an attempt to circumvent the rent cap must be remedied prior to acceptance into the Program. Should the Program Administrator become aware of any additional required payments not previously disclosed, the property owner may be disqualified from the Program and forfeit future incentive payments.
   3. To post a property to our Listings Page, ask your Placemate representative for access to self listing where owners can message directly with renters in our database looking for housing. 
      1. Note, these renters have not pre-applied for the program. They will still need to be qualified based on the steps laid out in this intake packet.
      2. Additional listing site suggestions are at the bottom of this page.
2. As you look for tenant groups, be sure to verify that the group you select qualifies for the Lease to Locals program (qualified household information listed above) prior to passing their information on to your Placemate contact.
3. Once you have identified a tenant group who you believe qualifies, email your Placemate contact your tenants’ contact information (name, email, phone), so we can send them a link to our online application to collect the required documents. Be sure to let your tenants know we’ll be reaching out.
   1. All adult tenants must provide a copy of their government issued ID and proof of income. All qualified tenants will also be required to submit an employer or offer of contract letter and an application to the Program. 
4. Once Placemate has confirmed that the tenant group meets program qualifications, sign a lease with your selected tenants.
   1. If you have any questions about your tenants’ eligibility or documents, let us know and we can help with verification.
5. Once your tenants have completed their Lease to Locals application, and we verify they qualify, we will send you the property owner application, which is a 2 step process:
   1. 1st, we’ll send you the Property Owner Lease Summary form, which gathers basic info about your property and lease, and requires that you upload a signed lease.
   2. 2nd, after we review these materials, we will send you the Property Owner Incentive Application for you to review and complete as prompted – this includes:
      1. Property and lease detail attestation
      2. Preview of your expected incentive amount
      3. Check request form 
      4. W-9 
6. After we receive your completed documents, and verify the tenants moved in, Placemate will submit your application to the Town of Chilmark. You can expect to receive the first half of your incentive payment mailed directly from the Town within 45 days of submission.
   1. Note, payments will be issued to the Property Owner, as their legal name(s) appears on the signed lease or property management agreement.
7. At the midpoint of the lease Placemate will check in with both the tenants and owner to ensure that the lease is being upheld.
8. At the end of the lease, Placemate will check in with both the tenants and owner and submit a request for the second half of the incentive payment.
9. If at any point during the lease, your tenant group changes or the tenants move out, the property owner must contact Placemate to let them know.

Please note, as the Lease to Locals program is focused on housing creation, each qualified property may participate in the Lease to Locals program one time. There are no additional incentives after year one. Property Owners are eligible for a maximum of three (3) incentives per property and may participate with two (2) Housing Units they own or have ownership in, including but not limited  to Trust(s), LLC(s), and other joint ownership arrangement(s).

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If you still need to secure tenants, here is some language you can put in your property listing to let prospective renters know you are participating in the Lease to Locals Program. Note, property owners must comply with the Federal Fair Housing Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Listing Language

The owner of this property is participating in the Chilmark Lease to Locals Program aimed at unlocking existing homes for local employee needs. As such, to be considered for this property, at least one of the tenants in your group must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Employed with an employer based on or serving customers in Dukes County. 
2. A person unable to work or who does not have a work history due to qualifying for disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
3. A retired person who receives monthly Social Security benefits to a Martha’s Vineyard address.

Additionally, the tenant household must have a gross annual income that is not more than 150% of the Area Median Income for Duke’s County (Effective April 1, 2025) 

Lease Template

You can use any lease you wish so long as your terms meet the program requirements. Placemate can not legally prepare your lease for you. 

Zillow provides free robust lease agreements that you might consider using – you can find them at this link. Please note, you and your tenants will have to create a profile on Zillow to use one of their lease templates.

Sites to List Your Property On: 

The following are websites used by local workforce members looking for housing. These would be great places to list your property, and it should be remembered that these are suggestions and you may list your property wherever and however you wish. Each of these options require that you monitor their various communication channels.

Zillow 

The housing site with the largest reach. A possibility of numerous non-responsive tenant applicants.

Facebook Marketplace 

You must have a Facebook account to post here. Make a post and include your property details. Check and respond to comments and direct messages to ensure you see inquiries come in. 

You can join these Chilmark specific groups to post your property’s listing in and/or advertise that you are looking for renters. You must have a Facebook account to post here and must be a member of each of these groups before you can post in them.

Martha’s Vineyard Long-Term Housing Rentals

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