Housing and Community Development (GHS) — Title 5. Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Subtitle 1
Md. Code Ann., Hous. & Cmty. Dev. § 5-101 (2026)
Title 5. Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs
Subtitle 1
§ 5–101LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“Director” means the Director of the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs.
(c)
“Office” means the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs.
(d)
(1)
“Tenant” means a residential tenant.
(2)
“Tenant” includes:
(i)
a subtenant;
(ii)
a lessee;
(iii)
a sublessee; and
(iv)
any other individual, other than an owner, who is entitled to the possession or occupancy, or the benefits of possession or occupancy, of any residential rental unit in the State.
Md. Code Ann., Hous. & Cmty. Dev. § 5-102 (2026)
Title 5. Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs
Subtitle 1
§ 5–102LinkCopy Citation
(a)
There is an Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs in the Department.
(b)
The purpose of the Office is to:
(1)
ensure that tenants have access to educational resources to aid in understanding and exercising the tenants’ rights under State law;
(2)
provide tenants with information on how to report a violation of their legal rights as tenants and facilitate referrals of reported violations to appropriate enforcement agencies;
(3)
provide tenants with information on how to obtain financial counseling; and
(4)
notify appropriate authorities regarding housing discrimination and other unfair or illegal housing practices.
Md. Code Ann., Hous. & Cmty. Dev. § 5-103 (2026)
Title 5. Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs
Subtitle 1
§ 5–103LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Secretary shall appoint the Director of the Office.
(b)
The Director:
(1)
serves at the pleasure of the Secretary; and
(2)
reports to the Secretary.
Md. Code Ann., Hous. & Cmty. Dev. § 5-104 (2026)
Title 5. Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs
Subtitle 1
§ 5–104LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Office shall:
(1)
develop resources to aid tenants in understanding and exercising the legal rights of tenants, including:
(i)
a Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights, summarizing the existing rights and remedies available to residential tenants under State and federal law; and
(ii)
a publicly accessible website to provide access to the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights and other relevant informational resources;
(2)
establish points of contact within the Office by which a tenant may report a violation by a landlord or a person acting on behalf of a landlord for referral to appropriate enforcement agencies;
(3)
provide resources to facilitate access by tenants to credit counseling;
(4)
refer covered individuals, as defined in § 8–901 of the Real Property Article, to the Access to Counsel in Evictions Program that is administered by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation;
(5)
collaborate with county and local governments that provide tenant advocacy and assistance;
(6)
receive notices and other documents related to a tenant’s exclusive negotiation period and right of first refusal under § 8–119 of the Real Property Article; and
(7)
adopt regulations governing the content and delivery of notices for a tenant’s exclusive negotiation period and right of first refusal under § 8–119 of the Real Property Article.
(b)
The Office may:
(1)
implement fair housing testing to ensure compliance by landlords with fair housing laws; and
(2)
identify landlords that are out of compliance with federal, State, or local law and facilitate referrals of cases to an appropriate law enforcement agency or another appropriate agency.
(c)
(1)
On or before June 1 each year, the Office shall publish the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights on its website.
(2)
The Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights shall include contact information for the Office.