Maryland renters rights
Maryland Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Tenants Using Housing Vouchers
Earlier this year, the Maryland Attorney General asked the Maryland Supreme Court to protect housing voucher recipients from income-based discrimination, via an amicus brief filed in March. In July of this year, the Maryland Supreme Court issued a judgement in favor of the tenant. The case began when a tenant named Katrina Hare tried to obtain housing in a Baltimore County apartment complex owned by David S. Brown Enterprises. The company implemented an income requirement, and did not use the accepted income calculations that take into account the client's voucher amount. As a result, Ms. Hare was denied housing because ...
Maryland Commission on Civil Rights Publishes Source of Income Guidance
This information is important for both landlords and tenants. The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights has published Source of Income Guidance, which outlines the rules around what landlords can and cannot do, with regard to tenants who use Housing Choice Vouchers and other sources of non-traditional income. From MCCR: The purpose of this guidance1 is to provide information on how the State of Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (“Commission”) analyzes source of income discrimination in housing as a result of the enactment of the Housing Opportunities Made Equal (“HOME”) Act of 2020. The guidance aims to inform tenants, housing providers, ...
Maryland Management Emergency Rental Assistance Conciliation Agreement
According to the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Maryland Management, Inc. refused to participate in or cooperate with emergency rental assistance programs. If you were denied housing or evicted because of this practice, you may be eligible to receive a money settlement from a Restitution Fund negotiated by the Maryland Attorney General to resolve allegations of Source of Income Discrimination by Maryland Management Company, Inc. This agreement can be downloaded here. The amount of compensation you are eligible for will depend on your experience with Maryland Management Company, Inc., and other applications to the Restitution Fund. To receive any ...
Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has published the first statewide Tenants’ Bill of Rights in the nation, as required by the passage of the Renters Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024. Maryland landlords, please note: Starting on July 1, 2025, the Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights must be included with all rental leases. Please go here and download your copy. If you have a landlord-tenant issue and need assistance, please fill out our intake form. You can also download our Maryland Tenant Guide for self-help and information.
Strengthen Fair Housing in Maryland, Urge Your Legislators to Vote YES on HB392/SB107
Background In 2023, there were 198 fair housing complaints in the Baltimore Metro region. At Economic Action, we’ve received many fair housing complaints with a large number of complaints based on access to reasonable accommodations to assist residents with a disability. To determine whether housing providers are discriminating against Marylanders due to race, gender, ethnicity, how someone pays for their rent, or other protected reasons, fair housing organizations conduct tests to see if discrimination exists. The Problem In 39 states including Virginia and the District of Columbia, fair housing testers use an audio recording to accurately capture the conversation with ...
Urge Your Maryland Senator to Vote YES on SB609
Background In 2023 53.3% of Maryland tenants spent more than 30% of their income on rent. The real costs of housing, insurance, utilities, and food prices have increased 22% since 2020. In 2024, our Baltimore City clients saw a 13% increase in rents from 2023, more than double the average for clients in other counties/cities outside the Baltimore metro region. Apartment complexes in Maryland have been using private tenant data to fix prices and increase rent by colluding with RealPage, a company that provides revenue management software to apartment complexes. This software collects private data on rental prices and uses ...
Maryland Eviction Shielding Law Goes Into Effect
As of October 1, 2024, a Maryland tenant has the right to file an application with the District Court to shield court records that relate to eviction filings if the tenant paid the amount owed prior to the eviction and stayed in the property, and if it's been 12 months since the eviction order was issued. You can use this form and file with the correct Maryland District Court location. Also, the Maryland District Court is required to shield all the Failure to Pay Rent (FTPR) eviction records within 60 days of the final resolution of the case, and the ...
Maryland Housing Services Publications
Maryland Landlord-Tenant and Fair Housing Publications Please click on a topic below, to download a one-page fact sheet or guide. Fact sheets and other publications are in PDF format. Maryland landlord-Tenant Fact SheetsAir ConditioningRent EscrowRatio Utility Billing (RUBS)Security DepositsMaryland Mold LawMaryland Eviction Facts for RentersMaryland Fair Housing Fact SheetsDisability RightsSource of Income DiscriminationMaryland Protected Classes Cheat SheetEmotional Support and Service Animal FactsGuides 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, ...
2024 Legislative Session: HB832/SB839 and HB328 Bill Signing
On Thursday, May 16th, we celebrated as two of our priority bills from the 2024 Legislative Session were signed into law by Governor Moore. HB832/SB839, sponsored by Delegate Vaughn Stewart and Senator Charles Sydnor, allows nominal damages to be awarded for violations of consumer laws. HB328, sponsored by Delegate Lesley Lopez, prohibits Maryland hospitals from using geographic service area tests and non-monetary asset tests to deny income-eligible patients free or reduced cost care.
News for Prince George’s County Tenants
Prince George's County 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 ...