Bill > HB709

This bill allows Maryland counties to adopt local laws that require landlords to have "good cause" before terminating a lease or refusing to renew a lease for residential rental properties. The bill establishes specific requirements for such local ordinances, including that they only apply to landlords who own six or more residential rental units in the state. The law defines ten specific grounds that would constitute "good cause" for lease termination, such as tenant breaches of lease, illegal activities, repeated minor violations, habitual late rent payments, and landlord's good faith need to use the property for personal or family purposes. The bill requires landlords to provide written notice stating the good cause for termination and includes detailed disclosure requirements about property ownership. Landlords must use a standardized form developed by the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs to provide this notice, and if filing a complaint to terminate a tenancy, must plead specific facts proving their good cause. The law does not apply to owner-occupied rental units and does not override existing notice requirements for lease terminations. The provisions will take effect on October 1, 2025, giving counties and landlords time to prepare for the new requirements.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0709?ys=2025RS