Rental Licensing in Baltimore
On August 1, 2018, Baltimore City’s new rental license law went into effect. What’s new? All 1-2 family and multi-family buildings must pass an inspection and hold a rental license.
All rental property operators had until January 1, 2019, to pass inspection by a state-certified Home Inspector and obtain a rental license from Baltimore Housing. The inspections are contracted and scheduled privately by the landlord. The inspector sends the results to Housing directly. These inspectors cannot be an employee of the landlord or have a financial interest in the rental property. For some parts of the inspection, the inspector might ask Baltimore Housing for further review.
The new law requires any landlord to hold a valid license for the property. It should be posted at the property. If there is no license, no rent is due.
ADDITIONALLY, AS OF OCTOBER 2023 - If your landlord is not currently licensed, they may not take you to any form of eviction court, whether that be Failure to Pay Rent, Tenant Holding Over, Etc.
Click on these links to find out what kind of issues determine whether or not a landlord is in violation of licensing law:
Tell us your story! How did it go? We will be collecting stories of renters impacted by this law, good or bad. Let us know your experience by contacting us!
How Do I Know If My Landlord Is Licensed?
Click the Is My Landlord Licensed below. This will take you directly to the DHCD website where you can type in your address into the box and then click on your address in the dropdown. It should take you to a list of records, click on whichever ones have Rental Licensing in the title to view your property’s current status. Most likely if your address doesn’t popped up your landlord may not be licensed. Because sometimes DHCD may be backlogged in updated the records we always suggest you get accurate information by going to the DHCD office located on 417 E Fayette St in Downtown Baltimore. Office is located on the first floor.
You should be provided a printout certifying whether the property is licensed or not . You should have a copy of your lease, your ID, or other proof that you reside on the property, or you have trouble obtaining a copy.
If you have a failure to Pay Rent case against you and your landlord is unlicensed, you should obtain a printout and bring to court as proof as this may assist you in proving your case or getting it dismissed.