HB 313 prohibits landlords in Maryland from charging application or screening fees unless a rental unit is immediately available or will become available within 30 days. Landlords must provide written disclosures about screening criteria, fees, and reporting agencies before collecting any fees, and must give prospective tenants specific reasons, copies of screening reports, and the right to dispute inaccuracies if denying an application. The bill also bans landlords from considering sealed court records or failure-to-pay rent proceedings in screening decisions. Violations are treated as consumer protection law violations under Maryland law, subject to enforcement and penalties.
HB 59 accelerates court proceedings for property owners (complainants) seeking to regain possession of real property they have listed for sale or lease. If property is advertised for sale/lease at the time of filing, the bill requires a court hearing within 5 business days (instead of 10), mandates personal service or conspicuous posting of notices on the property, and limits appeals to 2 business days after judgment. The court must issue a warrant for possession within hours if the owner wins, and tenants must post bond or pay rental value to delay eviction during appeals. This bill directly affects landlords trying to sell/lease property and tenants in possession, streamlining the process to expedite transfer of ownership.
HB 571 expands tax exemptions and judgment protections for nonprofit housing corporations in Maryland. It exempts real property used for housing eligible income residents (owned directly or through subsidiaries) from state and local taxes/special assessments, and prohibits court seizures of such property for unpaid debts. The bill defines "nonprofit housing corporation" as entities meeting specific IRS 501(c)(3) and housing purpose criteria, clarifying that subsidiary-owned properties qualify for these benefits. It directly affects nonprofit housing organizations providing affordable housing, ensuring their properties used for eligible residents remain tax-exempt and shielded from enforcement actions. The changes take effect July 1, 2026.
HB 307 modifies the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund by directing the Comptroller to administer the Fund under the Office of Social Equity’s guidance instead of previous oversight. It requires counties to consult with the Office when adjusting their fund distribution plans and clarifies that county expenditures from the Fund must be supplemental (not replacing) existing local programs. The bill also updates reporting requirements and reaffirms that Fund money cannot fund law enforcement or supplant other public services. These changes aim to align Fund administration with social equity goals while maintaining its focus on community-based initiatives like housing, job training, and behavioral health services in historically impacted areas.
SB 12 requires landlords to provide air-conditioning in most residential rental units during summer months (June 1-September 30) to maintain indoor temperatures at or below 80°F. It applies to apartment buildings with four or more units, excluding historic properties, buildings constructed between 1940-1950, and specific Baltimore public housing units. Landlords must ensure AC systems are functional for tenant-controlled units or maintain temperature limits for landlord-controlled systems. New constructions must comply starting June 1, 2026, while renovated units with major electrical or heating upgrades must comply starting October 1, 2026. The law does not affect buildings with permits issued before the law’s effective date.
SB 353 delays residential foreclosure actions by requiring lenders to wait 90 days after a loan default or 45 days after sending a foreclosure notice before filing a lawsuit. It applies to single-family homes occupied by owners as their primary residence. Exceptions allow immediate foreclosure for fraud, no payments ever made, destroyed property, bankruptcy cases, or vacant abandoned properties. Lenders must now include loss mitigation affidavits and specific documentation with foreclosure filings.
