Housing (Tenant Rights)

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 · 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

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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 17, 2026

HB 1436: Office of the Attorney General - Federal- and State-Assisted Housing Programs - Grievance Process

HB 1436 establishes a formal grievance process managed by Maryland's Office of the Attorney General for tenants in federal and state-assisted housing programs (including public housing, voucher programs, and emergency shelters). It requires housing providers to include grievance process notices in leases and annual communications, while the Attorney General's Office must investigate complaints, mediate disputes, and provide legal service referrals. If mediation fails, the Office can take legal action against non-compliant providers or those violating housing laws, and providers must compensate tenants harmed by violations. The bill also mandates annual reporting to the legislature on grievance outcomes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes mandatory grievance process for tenants in assisted housing, requiring notices in leases and Attorney General investigations/mediation, strengthening tenant protections in affordable housing programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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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 · House of Delegates Feb 5, 2026

HB 867: Real Property - Actions for Wrongful Detainer - Required Postings

HB 867 requires property owners to conspicuously post a notice against trespass or loitering on real property before filing a wrongful detainer lawsuit (used to evict unlawful occupants). Without this posted notice, the court cannot proceed with the case, directly affecting landlords and property owners who rely on this legal process for eviction. The bill amends Maryland law to add this posting requirement as a prerequisite for wrongful detainer actions, replacing previous provisions that allowed such lawsuits without notice. This change ensures clear notification to potential trespassers before legal action is taken.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires eviction notice posting before lawsuits, adding procedural barrier to unlawful evictions, strengthening tenant protections per bill's intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics 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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