Tenant and Landlord Affairs
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Established under the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act, signed into law in 2024 by Governor Wes Moore, the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs provides residential tenants and landlords in Maryland with important information and services related to rental housing across the state.
The Office serves as a primary contact point for Maryland tenants who seek resources related to their rights and protections or need credit or financial counseling. The Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs also publishes annually the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights, a summary of tenant rights and protections under existing law which landlords must attach to residential leases, and administers and operates the tenants’ right of first offer and
right of first refusal portal, as established by the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act.
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What does the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs do?
Under the
Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act, the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs is tasked with:
- Developing resources to aid residential tenants in understanding and exercising their legal rights, including publishing the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights: a summary of existing laws and protections covering Maryland renters
- Serving as a point of contact for tenants to report violations by landlords or property managers and, when appropriate, making referrals to enforcement agencies Providing resources for tenants to access credit counseling services
- Referring eligible tenants to the
Access to Counsel in Evictions program administered by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation
- Collaborating with county and local governments that provide tenant advocacy and assistance
- Adopting regulations and receiving notices and other documents related to a tenant’s exclusive negotiation period and right of first refusal established under the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act.
The Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs cannot give legal advice or weigh in on a particular case. If you believe you need legal assistance, the Office can refer you to a legal services provider.
Right of First Offer and Right of First Refusal
Under the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act, tenants of certain residential rental properties have the right to make an offer to purchase the property from the owner before the owner may sell the property to a third party. More information on this provision of the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act is available on pages 4-7 of the
Frequently Asked Questions document.
A landlord who is planning to sell their property with 3 or fewer rental units that is occupied by tenant(s) can log into the tenants’ right of first offer and
right of first refusal portal. Landlords can use this portal to fill out and print the required forms to send to the tenant(s), as required by law.
Contacting the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs
The Department of Housing and Community Development is in the process of hiring staff for the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs. The
posting for the Director of the Office is currently open for applications through October 15.
Contact information for the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs will be available after staff have been hired. For updates on when contact information is available, please
subscribe to DHCD’s Turning the Key newsletter. You are welcome to direct general questions to the Department of Housing and Community Development through the
Customer Service Inquiry Form.
Tenant Bill of Rights
The Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs will publish the Tenant Bill of Rights by January 1, 2025. Landlords will not be required to attach the Tenant Bill of Rights to residential leases until after it has been published. For updates on when this document is available, please
subscribe to DHCD’s Turning the Key newsletter.
