Sec. 13-168. Landlord Reporting of Tenant's Rental Payments to Major Credit Bureaus
Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.
Prince George's County, Md., Code § 13-168 (2026)
Sec. 13-168. Landlord Reporting of Tenant's Rental Payments to Major Credit BureausLinkCopy Citation
(a)
Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1)
"Consumer Reporting Agency" has the same meaning as is set forth in Subsection (f) of Section 1681a of Title 15 of the United States Code.
(2)
"Landlord" means an owner of residential real property containing fifteen (15) or more dwelling units. It includes an owner, lessor, sublessor, assignee or other person receiving or entitled to receive rent for the use or occupancy of any housing accommodation. "Landlord" includes one of the following:
(A)
A real estate investment trust, as defined in Section 856 of Title 26 of the United States Code.
(B)
A corporation.
(C)
A limited liability company in which at least one member is a corporation.
(3)
"Nationwide Consumer Reporting Agency" means a consumer reporting agency that provides consumer credit reports nationwide and that receives rental payment data from rent reporting services.
(4)
"Tenant" means a Tenant, subtenant, lessee, sublessee or other person entitled to the possession or to the use or occupancy of a housing accommodation controlled, subsidized or both by the department.
(b)
Rent Reporting. Beginning July 1, 2023, any Landlord, as defined in (a) of this section, shall offer the Tenant or Tenants obligated on the lease of each unit in that housing development the option of having the Tenant's rental payment information reported to at least one nationwide consumer reporting agency that meets the definition in Section 603(p) of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. Section 1681a(p)) or any other consumer reporting agency that meets the definition set forth in Section 603(f) of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. Section 1681a(f)) so long as the consumer reporting agency resells or otherwise furnishes rental payment information to a nationwide consumer reporting agency that meets the definition in Section 603(p) of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. Section 1681a(p)). A Tenant's rental payment information may be reported by a third-party service, or the landlord, or otherwise.
(c)
Tenant Election. A Tenant's election to have rent payments reported under this subdivision shall be in writing.
(d)
Leases after July 1, 2023. For leases entered into after July 1, 2023, the offer of rent reporting shall be made at the time of the lease agreement and at least once annually thereafter.
(e)
Leases Outstanding as of July 1, 2023. For leases outstanding as of July 1, 2023, the offer of rent reporting shall be made no later than October 1, 2023, and at least once annually thereafter.
(f)
Offer of Rent Reporting. The offer of rent reporting shall include a written statement that only the Tenant's timely payments will be reported.
(g)
Fee for Rent Reporting. If a Tenant elects to have that Tenant's rental payments reported to a consumer reporting agency under section (b) the Landlord may require that Tenant to pay a fee to a third-party service, or the landlord, or otherwise not to exceed the lesser of the actual cost to the Landlord to provide the service or ten dollars ($10) per month.
(h)
Tenant Failure to Pay Rent Reporting Fee. If a Tenant fails to pay any fee required by the Landlord pursuant to section (g), all of the following shall apply:
(1)
The failure to pay the fee shall not be cause for termination of the tenancy.
(2)
The Landlord shall not deduct the unpaid fee from the Tenant's security deposit.
(3)
If the fee remains unpaid for 30 days or more, the Landlord may stop reporting the Tenant's rental payments and the Tenant shall be unable to elect rent reporting again for a period of six months from the date on which the fee first became due.
(4)
The payment or nonpayment of this fee by the Tenant shall not be reported to a consumer reporting agency.
(i)
Tenant's Rights to Terminate Rent Reporting. A Tenant who elects to have rent reported as described in subdivision (a) may subsequently:
(1)
File a written request with the Landlord to stop that reporting and the Landlord shall comply with the request.
(2)
A Tenant who elects to stop reporting shall not be allowed to elect rent reporting again for a period of six months from the date of the Tenant's written request to stop reporting.
(j)
Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-211 Protections. A Tenant who elects to have rent reported shall not forfeit any rights provided under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-211.
(k)
Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-218 Protections. A Tenant who elects to have rent reported shall not forfeit any rights provided under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-218.
(l)
Termination of Pilot Program. This section shall remain in effect from July 1, 2023, until July 1, 2028, and shall be repealed after that date, unless it is extended by statute before that date.