Housing (Landlords)

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 16, 2026

HB 1644: Property Management Services - Licensing and Requirements

This Maryland bill requires property managers handling residential properties with four or more rental units to hold a state real estate broker license, expanding the definition of real estate brokerage services to include certain property management activities. The legislation mandates that landlords cannot use unlicensed property management services for qualifying residential properties and requires licensed property managers to complete continuing education on property management topics. Additionally, the bill establishes penalties for violations and creates a process for the State Real Estate Commission to investigate inadequate property management services after receiving a formal notice. These changes directly affect property management companies, landlords managing multi-unit residential properties, and the regulatory oversight provided by the State Real Estate Commission.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by requiring licensed property managers and continuing education, which helps ensure proper management of rental properties.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords

Track

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 858: Real Property - Wrongful Detainer Actions - Time of Hearing

HB 858 changes the timeline for holding hearings in eviction cases (wrongful detainer actions) in Maryland. It increases the deadline for scheduling a hearing after a complaint is filed from 10 business days to 14 calendar days. This affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings, as well as county courts handling these cases. The key change ensures hearings must occur within 14 days of filing, including weekends, rather than strictly business days. The bill directly alters the procedural timeline for resolving possession disputes over residential property.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends eviction hearing timeline from 10 business days to 14 calendar days, giving tenants more time to prepare and delaying evictions, strengthening tenant protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 729: Real Property - Access to Counsel in Evictions Program - Expansion

SB 729 expands a legal aid program that provides representation to tenants facing eviction to include residents of mobile home parks, ensuring they receive legal help during eviction proceedings. The bill requires mobile home park owners to establish pet policies, ensure water meets safety standards, and follow new rules for fees and utility billing, while banning them from denying services due to unpaid rent or personal characteristics. It also mandates a time period for residents to pay overdue rent before eviction and requires park owners to include subtenants as defendants in eviction cases. These changes strengthen tenant protections and clarify responsibilities for mobile home park owners.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands legal aid for eviction defense to mobile home residents, mandates tenant protections, bans discrimination in services, and ensures safe living conditions - directly strengthening tenant rights in housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1460: Landlord and Tenant - Investor-Owned Single-Family Rental Property - Landlord Requirements

HB 1460 (Landlord and Tenant - Investor-Owned Single-Family Rental Property - Landlord Requirements) limits rent for investor-owned single-family rentals (defined as properties owned by individuals with two or more rental properties in Maryland). It sets a maximum rent at 120% of either the federal fair market rent for the area or the home’s last sale price divided by 12, and prohibits landlords from charging more than documented utility costs or $100/month in mandatory fees. Landlords must disclose the fair market rent, last sale price, and maximum allowable rent to tenants before lease agreements, and the state must maintain a public registry of these landlords. Violations can result in fines up to $10,000, license suspension, or tenant lawsuits seeking triple damages. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits rent increases and caps fees for investor landlords, directly protecting tenants and enhancing affordability in rental markets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 635: Residential Real Property - Notice of Landlord Entry - Tenant Consent

SB 635 modifies Maryland's landlord-tenant law to allow landlords to enter rented properties without written notice in two specific situations: (1) during emergencies threatening property, occupant safety, or other tenants' health/safety, or (2) when completing repairs requested in writing by the tenant, either within 7 days of the request or while actively working on the repair. This change affects landlords and tenants in rental housing by removing the standard 24-hour written notice requirement for these scenarios, while maintaining the existing rule that routine entries must occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday unless otherwise agreed in writing. The bill amends Section 8-221(b) of the Maryland Annotated Code and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRemoves 24-hour written notice requirement for landlord entry, weakening tenant privacy and control protections under tenant rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1148: Property Taxes - Tax Sales, Legacy Protection Program, and Tax Credits

HB 1148 creates an Heirs Protection Program to prevent tax sales of inherited homes. It allows heirs (people who inherit a home after a homeowner's death) to become the official property owner, stay in their homes, and access property tax relief without losing the home to tax sales. The program is funded by a new Heirs Protection Fund financed by state and county governments, and requires the State Tax Sale Ombudsman to provide outreach and grants. The bill also expands eligibility for certain property tax credits to include heirs who aren't yet listed as the official property owner, under specific conditions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief for heirs through state/county-funded program, aligning with tax relief and program funding indicators per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents tax sales of inherited homes, provides property tax relief, and funds Heirs Protection Program to protect homeowners from displacement95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Homeownership Landlords Property Taxes

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 1549: Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing - Rental Dwelling Unit - Definition

HB 1549 amends Maryland law to clarify the definition of "rental dwelling unit" under lead risk reduction regulations. It specifies that a rental unit must have permanent access to living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation facilities - removing the previous term "independent" from the definition. The bill excludes unfinished basements, hotel/motel units, inaccessible areas, and units not offered for rent from this definition. This change directly affects landlords and tenants in rental properties covered by Maryland's lead safety laws, ensuring clearer application of existing lead risk reduction requirements. The amendment takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies rental unit definition for lead risk regulations, ensuring tenant safety protections apply to appropriate housing units and preventing lead exposure in dwellings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 1218: Safe and Healthy Homes for All Act

HB 1218 requires Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development (specifically its Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs) to develop a plan identifying rental properties with repeated health and safety violations (like chronic code failures, severe distress, or unaddressed hazards) and to outline interventions for landlords. The plan must establish how to identify these properties (via tenant reports, local agencies, or tenant groups), detail specific actions like fines, corrective deadlines, mandatory repairs, pest control, and temporary tenant relocation, and include recommendations for legal changes. It mandates the department submit this plan to the Governor and General Assembly by August 31, 2027, after which the bill expires on December 31, 2027. This directly affects tenants living in unsafe housing and negligent landlords of multi-unit rentals.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires interventions for unsafe rental properties, strengthening tenant safety protections and addressing health hazards per bill's mandate to identify and correct severe violations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Apr 7, 2026

HB 774: Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases and Holdover Tenancies - Local Good Cause Termination (Good Cause Eviction)

HB 774 allows counties in Maryland to adopt local laws requiring landlords to have a valid reason (like nonpayment of rent or lease violations) to terminate residential leases or evict tenants who remain after their lease ends ("holdover tenancies"). Landlords in counties with such laws must disclose whether they are subject to these rules in lease agreements and provide specific ownership details (including how many properties they own) if claiming an exemption. The bill also requires the state housing office to create standardized forms for this disclosure and to clarify when landlords must prove "good cause" in court. This directly affects landlords and tenants in counties that implement these local good cause eviction protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to have valid reasons for eviction, protecting tenants from arbitrary displacement - directly strengthens tenant rights in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 937: Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases - Prospective Tenant Criminal History Records Check (Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act)

SB 937, the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, prohibits landlords from requiring or considering a prospective tenant's criminal history before making a rental offer. Landlords may only review criminal history after extending a conditional offer and must allow tenants to provide evidence about inaccuracies, rehabilitation, or mitigating factors. The bill also bans upfront criminal history checks, restricts discriminatory housing ads, and makes violations enforceable under Maryland's consumer protection laws. It directly affects all residential landlords and tenants with past criminal records in Maryland.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits criminal history checks in housing decisions, aligns with criminal justice reform by reducing barriers to housing for individuals with records, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits criminal history discrimination in rentals, protects tenants from bias, aligns with tenant protection and anti-discrimination housing policies95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights