# Part 1 – Definitions; General Provisions.

Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.

## § 6-1 Statement of public policy and purpose.

Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 6-1 (2026)

It is the intent and purpose of <cite data-path="|13|6">this subtitle</cite> that before title to any single-family residential rental property is voluntarily transferred, the tenant of that property shall have the opportunity to purchase the property and that residential property owners shall not be unreasonably impeded in selling their properties nor required to accept unreasonable terms of sale.

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## § 6-2 Definitions.

Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 6-2 (2026)

(a) In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings stated.

(b) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development, or the Commissioner’s designee.

(c)

  (1) “Landlord” means any person who is the owner of a rental single-family dwelling unit.

  (2) “Landlord” includes any person authorized to exercise any aspect of the management of the rental single-family dwelling unit, except those persons engaged solely in custodial and maintenance functions.

(d) “Owner” means any person recorded in the official records of the State or City as holding title to a rental single-family dwelling unit.

(e)

  (1) “Rent” means the consideration, including any bonus, benefit, or gratuity, demanded or received per day, week, month, year, or other period of time, as the case may be, for the use or occupancy of housing accommodations or the transfer of a lease for those accommodations.

  (2) “Rent” includes any charge to a tenant under a rent-to-own agreement if the tenant’s acceptance of the agreement is mandatory or if the tenant is not entitled to a refund of the charge if the tenant does not purchase the unit.

(f) “Single-family dwelling unit” has the meaning stated in § 202.2.22.4 of the Baltimore City <cite data-path="|codes|II">Building Code</cite>.

(g) “Statement of interest” means a written and clear expression of interest to a landlord that the person writing the statement is interested in purchasing the landlord’s rental single-family dwelling unit.

(h) “Tenant” means any person who:

  (i) occupies a rental single-family dwelling unit as a residence with the consent of the landlord; and

  (ii) has an obligation to pay rent or provide other consideration to the landlor for those accommodations.

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## § 6-3 Scope of subtitle.

Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 6-3 (2026)

The following transfers of title are exempt from the requirements of <cite data-path="|13|6">this subtitle</cite>:

(1) transfer of title to a spouse, child or children, parents, siblings, or in-laws of the landlord;

(2) transfer of title by will or through inheritance under the State Estates and Trusts Article;

(3) a gift to any religious, charitable, or benevolent, tax-exempt donee;

(4) transfer of title in a mortgage or deed of trust;

(5) transfer of title to a government agency;

(6) transfer of, or for the sole purpose of creating, a reversionary (ground rent) interest, if the leasehold is retained by, or was not owned by, the transferor;

(7) transfer of title in lieu of foreclosure of a mortgage or deed of trust;

(8) any sale at public auction of a property individually, if the landlord has offered the property to the persons required under <cite data-path="|13|6">this subtitle</cite>, and those persons have failed to exercise the opportunity to purchase before the auction sale;

(9) any transfer by a personal representative from a decedent’s estate made in the course of the administration of the estate; [and]

(10) a transfer of title by a bona fide gift to a relative of the transferor or relative of the transferor’s spouse, subject to the following:

  (i) “relatives” means only those relatives set forth in § 267(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and all lineal descendants and spouses of those relatives to the extent not already included in that section;

  (ii) “ancestors” as defined in § 267(c)(4) are limited to the levels of parents and grandparents; and

  (iii) “lineal descendants” include all biological children and stepchildren, and full effect shall be given to legal adoption[.] ; and

(11) A tranfer of title by the housing authority of Baltimore City.

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## § 6-4 Rules of interpretation.

Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 6-4 (2026)

(a) In <cite data-path="|13|6">this subtitle</cite>, the following rules of interpretation apply.

(b) The time periods specified in this subtitle are minimum periods. A landlord may provide a tenant with reasonable extensions of time to purchase the rental single-family dwelling unit.

(c) Potential third-party purchasers are presumed to act with full knowledge of the rights and procedures established in <cite data-path="|13|6">this subtitle</cite>.

(d) Unless otherwise expressly stated in <cite data-path="|13|6">this subtitle</cite>, delivery of items required by <cite data-path="|13|6">this subtitle</cite> shall be made either by first-class mail or hand-delivery to the required party.

(e) To the extent possible, any defect or ambiguity in <cite data-path="|13|6">this subtitle</cite> shall be resolved in favor of tenants.

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## § 6-5 Rules and regulations.

Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 6-5 (2026)

Subject to <cite data-path="|general|4">Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Commissioner may adopt rules and regulations to carry out <cite data-path="|13|6">this subtitle</cite>.

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## § 6-6

Balt., Md., Code art. 13, § 6-6 (2026)

Reserved

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