Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has signed new legislation aimed at improving rental housing safety, strengthening tenant protections, and holding landlords accountable for unsafe living conditions.
The Rental Dwelling Health and Safety Enforcement Act, also known as Council Bill 25-0141, requires rental properties across Baltimore to meet licensing requirements and comply with housing health and safety standards. The legislation also introduces stronger enforcement measures against landlords who repeatedly violate housing codes and addresses fraud in the rental licensing process.
“All Baltimoreans deserve to have a safe, healthy, up to code place to call home in our city,” Mayor Scott said.
The bill received unanimous approval from the City Council. Councilwoman Odette Ramos, its lead sponsor, said the legislation responds to complaints from residents dealing with poor housing conditions.
“There’s people that have been living with mold, living with no heat,” Ramos said. “Nobody deserves that.”
The new law builds on the Strengthening Renters Safety Act, which was passed by the City Council during the previous term.
Scott said both laws are intended to address problems in multi-family buildings that have repeatedly violated housing rules, including inspection requirements.
Some provisions of the Rental Dwelling Health and Safety Enforcement Act took effect immediately after the mayor signed it, while additional requirements are scheduled to begin on December 31, 2027.
Rental Housing Changes Taking Effect Immediately
Several major provisions became effective when Scott signed the legislation.
Expanded coverage for rental properties: The law now applies to all rental properties, expanding requirements beyond buildings with more than 20 units.
New rental licensing receivership process: The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) can take serious housing code and rental law violations to court. A judge may appoint a receiver to bring a property into compliance and potentially sell it to a new owner.
A path to remove Priority Dwelling status: Property owners may seek removal from the Priority Dwelling designation if they correct all violations within 90 days, submit a management and maintenance plan, and satisfy other DHCD requirements.
Stronger license revocation authority: Rental licenses may be revoked when landlords use intimidation or extortion tactics.
More options for tenant complaints: Tenants can report suspected rental licensing fraud outside the city’s 311 system. The commissioner must provide a written response to these complaints.
Changes to the appeals process: People filing complaints must first complete an administrative appeal before pursuing a judicial appeal.
Additional Rental Licensing Rules Begin December 31, 2027
The legislation also establishes several requirements scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2027. These changes focus on rental license oversight, ownership transparency, and inspection accountability.
Key provisions include:
- Rental license renewal reminders: DHCD must remind property owners before their rental licenses expire.
- Registration notifications: The department must notify owners of non-owner-occupied properties about rental housing registration and licensing requirements.
- Rental license audits: DHCD must audit more than 100 existing rental dwelling licensees to check compliance and help prevent fraudulent document submissions.
- Greater ownership transparency: Property owners and managers must provide additional information about property ownership.
- Unpaid water bills: Rental licenses cannot be issued or renewed if the property’s water bill remains unpaid.
- Limits on third-party inspectors: Landlords cannot use the same third-party rental inspector for four consecutive renewal periods.
- Training for senior housing management staff: Management companies operating buildings with more than 20 units specifically designated for older adults must provide customer service training for their staff as a rental licensing requirement.
- Inspection photo requirements: Inspectors must upload photographs showing that inspections were conducted at the correct property.
- Inspector licensing requirements: Rental inspectors must be licensed to conduct inspections in Baltimore City. Rental licenses will be invalid if an unlicensed inspector performs the inspection.
What the New Law Means for Baltimore Renters and Landlords
The Rental Dwelling Health and Safety Enforcement Act gives Baltimore housing officials additional tools to address unsafe rental properties and repeated housing code violations.
For tenants, the changes provide additional ways to report suspected licensing fraud and strengthen enforcement against landlords who fail to maintain safe living conditions.
Landlords and property managers will also face stricter licensing, inspection, and ownership disclosure requirements as the remaining provisions take effect in 2027.
The legislation represents another step in Baltimore’s efforts to improve rental housing conditions, address landlord misconduct, and ensure residents have access to safe and properly maintained homes.
Source: CBS News Baltimore – Baltimore mayor signs bill targeting unsafe rental properties, landlord fraud
