Housing (Landlords)

HB 59 accelerates court proceedings for property owners (complainants) seeking to regain possession of real property they have listed for sale or lease. If property is advertised for sale/lease at the time of filing, the bill requires a court hearing within 5 business days (instead of 10), mandates personal service or conspicuous posting of notices on the property, and limits appeals to 2 business days after judgment. The court must issue a warrant for possession within hours if the owner wins, and tenants must post bond or pay rental value to delay eviction during appeals. This bill directly affects landlords trying to sell/lease property and tenants in possession, streamlining the process to expedite transfer of ownership.

SB 12 requires landlords to provide air-conditioning in most residential rental units during summer months (June 1-September 30) to maintain indoor temperatures at or below 80°F. It applies to apartment buildings with four or more units, excluding historic properties, buildings constructed between 1940-1950, and specific Baltimore public housing units. Landlords must ensure AC systems are functional for tenant-controlled units or maintain temperature limits for landlord-controlled systems. New constructions must comply starting June 1, 2026, while renovated units with major electrical or heating upgrades must comply starting October 1, 2026. The law does not affect buildings with permits issued before the law’s effective date.