Tenant Advocacy and Renters Rights
News for Prince George’s County Tenants
Rent Stabilization Act Extended to October 17, 2024 On April 17, 2024, CB-008-2024 went into effect, extending the Rent Stabilization Act to October 17, 2024. Pursuant to the Rent Stabilization Act, CB-07-2023 and CB-51-2023, a landlord may not raise the existing rent above three percent (3%) per year. The three percent cap applies to tenants who are currently residing in their units and are renewing their leases during the effective period. The law applies to landlords who use month-to-month rental agreements or agreements/contracts to become month-to-month agreements after a fixed term. The rent increase limitation is applied annually. CB-08-2024 was ...
NEW: City of Frederick Rental Registration and Licensing Law
Starting January 1, 2024, landlords who own rental properties in the City of Frederick will be required to hold a valid rental license. The fee will be $240.00 and the license will be valid for a period of two years. In preparation for the upcoming requirement, the City has developed an online portal for landlords to register rental properties to prepare for the launch of the Rental Licensing Ordinance, an initiative aimed at ensuring safe housing for all renters in Frederick. Under the Rental Licensing Ordinance, rental units are mandated to meet specific standards, ensuring the safety, health, and comfort ...
Baltimore City Public Housing Wait List Opens August 1, 2023
From the Housing Authority of Baltimore City: How to Apply The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) announced that applications will be accepted for the HABC’s Low-Income Public Housing waiting list for housing units in Baltimore City. The Low-Income Public Housing Program is a federally funded, rental assistance program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Applications will be accepted online only starting August 1, 2023, at (9:00AM) and ending August 14, 2023, at (11:59 PM). Once the application period opens on August 1st through ...
Did You Know? Maryland is a Pay and Stay State
Maryland tenants have the right to pay all money owed after your landlord files for eviction, and stay in the home. This applies even when the sheriff or constable shows up to carry out the eviction. Even if the landlord still wants to evict you, the landlord is required to accept the money and allow you to stay. You must pay the full balance, including fees or court costs. There is an exception to this rule: You have three or more judgements against you in previous eviction cases, within the past 12 months Four or more judgements against you in ...
Baltimore City Rental Property Registration and Licensing Law
Non owner-occupied properties in Baltimore City are required to be registered with the City. Additionally, non owner-occupied rental properties also have to be inspected and licensed, in addition to the registration requirement. This law went into effect in 2018, and applies to single-family homes as well as multifamily properties (apartments), rental condos, etc. A Baltimore City landlord cannot charge or collect rent for a property that is not inspected and licensed. Please go here to download the sections of Baltimore City Code that cover registration, licensing, and inspections. (This link will open a PDF file). For more information on Baltimore’s ...
Maryland Water Billing and Property Tax Payments Search by County
Note: Not all counties have online access to property tax and water bills. If a county is not listed below, the information is not available online. Allegany County: Property Taxes Water Billing Anne Arundel County: Property Taxes Water Billing Baltimore City: Property Taxes Water Billing Baltimore County: Property Taxes Water Billing (Baltimore County residents pay water bills to Baltimore City.) Calvert County: Property Taxes Carroll County: Property Taxes and Water Billing Cecil County: Property Taxes and Water Billing Charles County: Property Taxes Water Billing Dorchester County: Property Taxes Frederick County: Property Taxes and Water Billing Garrett County: Property Taxes and ...
My Landlord Won’t Make Repairs! Now What?
We get quite a few inquiries from tenants who are living in unimaginable circumstances. No heat or hot water in the winter, basements and walls covered in black mold, leaky roof, flooded basements, even a collapsed ceiling or two, and they’ve contacted the landlord to ask about repairs and maintenance. Their circumstances may vary, but the question at the end of the email is generally the same: “What can I do now?” Let’s rewind a little, and go back to when the problems first started. We’ll assume that you alerted your landlord to the problem immediately. We’ll even give the ...
Maryland Counties With Rental Registration/Licensing Requirements
We get a lot of questions from both landlords and tenants about rental licensing and/or registration. The jurisdictions below are where most of our registration and licensing questions originate from. This list is by no means complete — please do your research if you’re a landlord or tenant, and contact your local planning, zoning, or housing department for more information. Allegany County (Cumberland) Anne Arundel County and City of Annapolis Baltimore City (You can also click here to download the applicable section of Baltimore City code.) Baltimore County Carroll County (Westminster) Dorchester County (Cambridge) City of Frederick (Starts January 1, ...