In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Affected property” has the meaning stated in § 6–801 of the Environment Article. “Residential property” means a building or a portion of a building that provides complete living facilities, including facilities for cooking, sanitation, and sleeping. “Residential property” includes: a single–family unit in a multifamily dwelling; and a “rental dwelling unit” as defined under § 6–801 of the Environment Article.

This subtitle applies to the regulation in any manner, by a county or municipality, of residential property that is rented or leased, including regulation by the issuance or renewal of: a license or registration to authorize the owner of residential property to engage in the business of renting or leasing the residential property; a license or registration to authorize residential property to be rented or leased; or a certification that residential property that is rented or leased is in compliance with a local housing, livability, or property maintenance code.

A county or municipality may not authorize or certify residential property to be rented or leased unless the owner of the property: states in writing to the county or municipality under penalty of perjury: that the residential property is not an affected property; or that the residential property is an affected property that has been registered and for which the registration has been renewed in accordance with §§ 6–811 and 6–812 of the Environment Article; and if the property is an affected property, provides the inspection certificate number for the inspection conducted for the current tenancy as required under § 6–815(c), § 6–817(b), or § 6–819(e) of the Environment Article.

In addition to reporting, as required under § 6–848.2 of the Environment Article, any known noncompliance of an affected property with the provisions of Title 6, Subtitle 8 of the Environment Article, a county or municipality may forward to the Department of the Environment any information obtained under this subtitle regarding residential property.