Highlights from the Februrary 2026 committee meeting for the new rental property bill 25-0141 Rental Dwelling Health and Safety Enforcement Act. In a huge win for landlord privacy and constitutional rights, the City Law Dept wrote an opinion that the extensive and invasive sections of the bill must be removed. Other big updates:
- Committee president suggested they make the bill budget-neutral by increasing fees for property registration and licensing. (we knew it was only a matter of time)
The Baltimore City Law Dept: “this bill’s extensive disclosure requirements for property owning corporations in the registration statements must be removed because they are not related to any legitimate government interest in rental property and compel
speech that is not necessary to further a government purpose as a company’s listed owners are not always the people to contact for tenant issues nor the ones to be named in legal actions.
During the hearing, Sponsor Odette Ramos said the proposed bill would:
- expand licensing to all rental units
- create a rental-property receivership option for the most egregious owners
- require audits of up to 100–200 licensed units per year by City inspectors
- require ownership disclosure on the licensing portal including all names and addresses of anyone with a 25% stake in the rental business
- condition licenses on payment of outstanding water bills in some cases
- prohibit landlords from threatening to report tenants to immigration authorities
- require training for property managers of buildings with 20 or more units.
- “If you threaten to call ICE on our residents, we will revoke your license,” Ramos said.The bill needs work, said Odette Ramos.
Link to a recording of the committee meeting.
Highlights from my notes:
1:46. Ramos asks City Law Dept if City can undertake a certification process of licensed Maryland Home Inspectors. Law Dept says how can we say inspectors aren’t qualified if the State of Maryland says they are qualified?
1:49. Law Dept has concerns with the 8-year rule for inspectors (can’t use the same rental inspector more than once in 8 years). If the state says they are qualified, how can we prevent them from doing rental inspections? Law Dept has alternate suggestion to deal with bad inspectors — refer them to the State for penalty or license revocation.
***Note: Earlier Ramos thanked the Law Dept, said they accepted much of the department’s advice and feedback, but not all. (for example, Law Dept raised 1st amendment issues re: withholding a license if the landlord makes certain speech regarding immigration.
2:20: Finance Dept estimates doing the 100-200 audits per year would require 2-3 full time inspectors (!)
Says it’s late in the budget process for a bill this costly.
Odette Ramos indicated there is much work to do on this bill. They are considering amendments.
More to follow…