Economic Action Maryland
Baltimore Property Company Leaves Tenants in the Lurch
Our Tenant Advocacy Director, Carol Ott, weighs in on the difficulties tenants are having with their property management company in Baltimore. Read the full article in the Banner here. If you're a Maryland renter and need assistance with a landlord-tenant matter, please fill out our intake form.
Fact Sheets for Tenants
Here are several one-page fact sheets you can download, on topics relevant to Maryland tenants. Fact sheets are in PDF format. Air Conditioning Rent Escrow Ratio Utility Billing (RUBS) Security Deposits Fair Housing Protected Classes Our comprehensive Tenant Guide is updated each year, as laws change. You'll find information on how to choose a suitable property, what's allowed in a lease, and how to find information on your prospective landlord, along with information on what to do if things go wrong during your tenancy. You can download the Tenant Guide here. If you need information related to Fair Housing issues, ...
Request a Housing Provider Training
We provide training to Maryland housing providers on Fair Housing. Please use this form to request a training for yourself or your staff.
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. 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 Rent Escrow: My Landlord Won’t Make Repairs! Now What?
We receive 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?” Tenants have the right to safe and habitable housing. The landlord has a responsibility to maintain the property -- when the landlord fails to make repairs, you have ...
Fair Housing
Fair Housing Economic Action's Fair Housing program works to root out discrimination in housing and assist Maryland residents with resolving housing discrimination complaints. To do this... we educate individuals and organizations about housing rights. we work to resolve housing discrimination complaints. we advocate on behalf of individuals and communities facing current and historic discrimination. we educate housing providers about their responsibilities. You can download a list of State, Federal, and local protected classes here, along with our program flyer and information on Maryland's HOME Act and Disability Rights. If you're looking for our Maryland landlord-tenant fact sheets, ...
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 ...