Housing (Renters)

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 998: Real Property - Mobile Home Parks - Rent Limitations

This bill limits how much mobile home park owners in Maryland can increase annual rent for existing residents, generally capping increases at the lower of the national consumer price index or 4% of the previous year's rent. It establishes a formal review process where owners seeking larger increases must petition the Department of Housing and Community Development, provide documentation of extraordinary expenses like major repairs or government-mandated improvements, and allow residents to submit comments within a 45-day period. The bill also prohibits park owners from retaliating against residents who participate in homeowners associations, file complaints, or exercise their legal rights. Additionally, it defines key terms such as "mobile home," "park," "resident," and "extraordinary expense" to clarify the scope of protections.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits rent increases for mobile home park residents, protecting tenant rights and maintaining affordability95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 938: Community Development - Affordable Multifamily Rental Housing Stabilization Program - Establishment

SB 938 establishes Maryland's Affordable Multifamily Rental Housing Stabilization Program to provide emergency capital repair funding for private, affordable multifamily rental properties with 15+ units serving low-income households. The program requires property owners to prove they lack sufficient operating or reserve funds to cover urgent repairs, and offers low- or no-interest loans or grants up to $1 million per property annually. The Governor may allocate $5 million yearly for the program during fiscal years 2028-2031, with priority given to repairs that reduce operating costs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M annual state funding for affordable housing repairs, directly advancing budget allocation for essential housing services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes emergency repair funding for affordable multifamily housing serving low-income tenants, preserving existing affordable units through grants/loans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Renters

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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

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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

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

HB 1475: Consumer Protection - Dynamic Pricing Disclosure and Prohibition on Rent-Setting

HB 1475 requires merchants selling goods or services to disclose when prices are set using algorithms that analyze personal data, mandating a clear statement: "THIS PRICE WAS SET BY AN ALGORITHM USING YOUR PERSONAL DATA." It also prohibits residential landlords or property managers from using software, data analytics, or algorithms to coordinate rent adjustments or lease terms across multiple properties. Violations are treated as unfair trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties. The bill directly affects businesses using dynamic pricing and rental property owners/managers utilizing algorithmic tools for pricing decisions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from using algorithms to coordinate rent adjustments across properties, preventing potential coordinated rent hikes that harm tenants and strengthening tenant protections.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates disclosure of algorithmic pricing using personal data and prohibits algorithmic rent coordination, enhancing consumer data privacy protections under Maryland's Consumer Protection Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

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

HB 1427: Property Tax Credits - Renters' Tax Credit, Homeowners' Tax Credit, and Homestead Tax Credit - Altering Eligibility and Amount

HB 1427 modifies Maryland's Renters' Tax Credit, Homeowners' Tax Credit, and Homestead Tax Credit by adjusting income thresholds, calculation formulas, and maximum credit amounts. It increases the maximum annual credit for renters from $1,200 (2027) to $2,000 (2029+), and for homeowners from $1,500 (2028) to $2,000 (2029+), while raising income thresholds for eligibility. The bill specifies phased-in income percentages (e.g., 0% on first $16,000 of income for renters in 2029+) and adds a $200,000 net worth limit for renters. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income renters (including seniors/disabled individuals) and homeowners meeting revised income criteria. These changes apply to tax years beginning July 1, 2027, and subsequent years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credits for renters/homeowners with higher caps ($2,000) and expanded income eligibility, providing direct tax relief to lower/middle-income residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases renter/homeowner tax credits, raises maximum annual amounts ($1,200→$2,000 for renters), and expands eligibility thresholds to boost housing affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 953: Charles County - Rent Stabilization - Seniors

SB 953 requires Charles County to set annual rent increase limits for rental units occupied by seniors (age 62+), based on the Washington metro Consumer Price Index. It establishes a specific "rent increase limit" tied to inflation, preventing landlords from raising rents beyond this threshold each year. The law applies only to Charles County and takes effect October 1, 2026. This directly affects seniors renting in Charles County by limiting annual rent hikes to inflation rates.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits annual rent increases for seniors to CPI, directly protecting tenant rights through rent stabilization in Charles County.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights Tags Seniors

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

HB 1571: Real Property - Access to Counsel in Evictions Program and Mobile Home Parks

HB 1571 expands legal aid access for mobile home park residents facing eviction by including them in Maryland's Access to Counsel in Evictions Program. It directly affects low-income mobile home residents (earning ≤50% of median income) and mobile home park owners. Key provisions require park owners to establish pet policies by a set date, ensure safe water access, prohibit fee-based penalties for nonpayment, and provide a 14-day period to cure rent arrears. The bill also prohibits denying park privileges due to nonpayment or resident characteristics, and clarifies eviction procedures for subtenants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands legal aid for mobile home evictions, prohibits fee-based penalties, and mandates 14-day rent cure period → strengthens tenant protections for low-income housing residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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