Housing (Renters)

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

HB 1497: Charles County - Rent Stabilization - Seniors

HB 1497 would require Charles County to cap annual rent increases for rental units occupied by seniors at the Washington metropolitan area Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate, effective October 1, 2026. It directly affects seniors (defined as individuals eligible for full Social Security retirement benefits) renting in Charles County. The bill establishes a legal limit preventing landlords from raising rents more than the local inflation rate each year. This applies only to Charles County and does not affect other jurisdictions or non-senior renters.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCaps rent increases for seniors at CPI, protecting tenants from excessive hikes and strengthening tenant protections in housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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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

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

HB 1073: Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases - Prospective Tenant Criminal History Records Check (Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act)

HB 1073 (Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act) prohibits landlords from requiring or using criminal history checks to screen prospective tenants before making a conditional lease offer. Landlords may only consider specific criminal convictions *after* extending a conditional offer and must allow tenants to provide evidence about inaccuracies or rehabilitation. The bill also bans housing ads that discriminate based on criminal records and requires the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs to publish model documents and annual data on criminal history use in leasing. It makes violations subject to penalties under Maryland’s consumer protection laws. The law directly affects residential landlords and prospective tenants in Maryland seeking housing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits criminal history discrimination in housing, aligns with reform efforts to reduce barriers for reentry and protect civil rights per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents criminal record discrimination in tenant screening, protecting tenant rights and promoting fair housing access per bill's prohibitions on pre-offer checks and discriminatory ads.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Maryland · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 872: Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing - Rental Dwelling Unit - Definition

SB 872 amends Maryland law to redefine "rental dwelling unit" for lead risk reduction regulations. It removes the word "[independent]" from the definition, clarifying that a rental dwelling unit includes any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit with permanent living facilities (for sleeping, cooking, sanitation, etc.), regardless of whether it's physically separated. This change directly affects landlords and property managers of rental housing subject to lead safety requirements, as it expands the scope of units covered under existing lead risk reduction laws. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands lead safety regulations to cover more rental units by removing 'independent' from definition, strengthening tenant health protections in housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 17, 2026

HB 543: Real Property - Landlord and Tenant - Family Child Care Homes

HB 543 allows landlords to charge up to two months' rent as a security deposit if a tenant operates a family child care home (defined as caring for up to eight children in a residence). It prohibits landlords from unreasonably restricting or banning such homes on single-family rental properties and shields landlords from civil liability related to the child care operation. Tenants must provide written notice 60 days before starting, share their child care registration, and supply insurance naming the landlord and property owners as additional insureds. The bill also requires tenants to notify landlords immediately if they stop operating the home and permits landlords to mandate $1 million liability insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from banning family child care homes, protecting tenant rights in housing use and enabling flexible residential property utilization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Maryland · House of Delegates Mar 20, 2026

HB 80: Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases - Fee Disclosures

HB 80 requires landlords managing four or more rental units to provide prospective tenants with a clear, written list of all fees (including mandatory and optional fees like parking or pet charges) before signing a lease. It prohibits landlords from charging any mandatory fee that wasn’t disclosed in advance and makes lease terms violating this rule unenforceable. Tenants can sue landlords for violations occurring after February 2027, potentially recovering triple damages plus attorney fees. The law excludes utility charges, security deposits, and fees tied to tenant actions (like replacement keys), and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates fee transparency for landlords and provides tenant remedies for violations, directly strengthening tenant protections in housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 62: Anne Arundel County - Summons for Actions to Repossess for Failure to Pay Rent - Alterations

HB 62 modifies eviction notice procedures for unpaid rent cases in Anne Arundel County. It requires the District Court to direct eviction notices to constables or sheriff’s designees (who now have the same authority as sheriffs) and mandates that notices be posted conspicuously at the property address. This affects landlords, tenants, and law enforcement handling eviction cases in Anne Arundel County. The bill standardizes service methods to ensure tenants are properly notified of court hearings for rent nonpayment.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingModifies eviction notice procedures to ensure proper tenant notification, strengthening tenant protections under housing policy through standardized service methods.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Maryland · House of Delegates May 26, 2026

HB 315: Landlord and Tenant - Discrimination in Housing for Income-Based Housing Subsidies and Positive Rental History Reporting

HB 315 prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to potential tenants who pay rent using income-based housing subsidies (like federal vouchers) based on the tenant's income, credit score, or past credit issues that occurred before they received the subsidy. It directly affects landlords and tenants using such subsidies, making refusal a discriminatory housing practice enforceable by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. The bill includes an exception allowing landlords who receive funding requiring income qualification (e.g., for income-restricted housing) to collect financial information as a condition of that funding.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits discrimination against tenants using housing subsidies, protecting tenant rights and preventing housing discrimination per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

signed · Maryland · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 335: Landlord and Tenant - Discrimination in Housing for Income-Based Housing Subsidies and Positive Rental History Reporting

This bill prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to potential tenants who use income-based housing subsidies (like federal housing vouchers) based on the tenant's income, credit score, or past credit history that occurred before they received the subsidy. It directly affects landlords and tenants using such subsidies, ensuring they cannot be discriminated against for relying on government assistance to pay rent. The law amends Maryland's housing discrimination statutes to clarify that such refusals constitute a discriminatory practice enforceable by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, with a limited exception for properties receiving funding that requires income verification for tenant eligibility.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents discrimination against tenants using income-based housing subsidies, strengthening tenant protections and access to affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 434: Residential Leases - Use of Algorithmic Device by Landlord to Determine Rent, Occupancy, and Lease Terms - Prohibition

HB 434 prohibits Maryland landlords from using computer programs (algorithmic devices) that rely on nonpublic competitor data - like actual rent prices or occupancy rates - to set rent, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels for new residential leases. It directly affects residential landlords who might use such tools to adjust pricing or lease conditions. The law defines "nonpublic competitor data" as information not widely available, such as rivals' rent amounts or tenant turnover rates, and excludes tools used for affordable housing programs or anonymized industry reports. Violations would be treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland's consumer protection law, with enforcement starting October 1, 2026, for new leases only.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from using algorithms with nonpublic competitor data to set rent/lease terms, protecting tenants from potential unfair pricing practices.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits landlords from using algorithmic devices with nonpublic competitor data, directly restricting technology application in housing decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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