Tenant Advocacy and Renters Rights
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 ...
Renters’ Tax Credit Program
What is the Maryland Renters' Tax Credit Program? The Maryland Renter’s Tax Credit Program provides financial assistance to help low-income tenants with their rent. Although the program has been around for decades, few people eligible for the Maryland Renter’s Tax Credit even know it exists! The Renters' Tax Credit Program provides property tax credits for renters who meet certain requirements. The plan was modeled after and designed to be similar in principle to the Homeowners' Tax Credit Program, which is known to many as the ...
Baltimore City Rental Property Registration and Licensing Law
Non owner-occupied properties in Baltimore City are required to be registered with the City. Also, non owner-occupied rental properties also have to be inspected and licensed, in addition to the registration requirement. Baltimore's licensing 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 ...
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, ...
Staff & Board
Meet Our Staff The Economic Action staff is a team of passionate advocates, committed to securing economic rights and equity for all. We work together to meet the needs of our Maryland communities through our diverse perspectives and skill-sets. We take great pride in providing immediate services to our Maryland community members in need while simultaneously fighting for systemic change policies that heal the system for good. Marceline White Jennifer Bevan-Dangel Francine Hyman Carol Ott Jamila Blake Zoe Gallagher LaToya McKay Emily Fader Savedra Scott ...
Tenant Advocacy
Tenant Advocacy The Tenant Advocacy program works to ensure Maryland renters are living in safe and healthy housing. Our tenant advocates advance housing justice in Maryland through direct service, research, and advocacy. Services include assistance with landlord-tenant issues and tenants’ rights information and education. The Tenant Advocacy program is unique in that we provide Maryland tenants statewide (all counties, and Baltimore City) with free information about tenant rights and responsibilities on the following topics: Lease reviews Eviction Notification and Procedure, Illegal Eviction Nonpayment of Rent (Please note: We do not provide financial assistance.) Code Enforcement, including ...
What We Do
What We Do Economic Action Maryland Fund strives to empower vulnerable Marylanders and ensure there are strong safeguards in place to help them build and maintain assets throughout their financial lives. We fight for families to have MORE: more protections from debt collectors and predatory lenders, more information and advice to avert deceptive tricks and traps, more housing and financial security and a more just economy. Economic Action provides direct assistance today and passes policies to change the system in the future. Our direct service programs support Maryland households struggling with housing, economic ...