Bill > HB1218

This bill requires the Department of Housing and Community Development's Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs, in conjunction with the Attorney General, to create a comprehensive plan by August 31, 2027, to identify and address "severe health and safety risk properties," which are defined as rental properties that consistently fail to meet basic health and safety standards, including those with ongoing code violations, severe distress, repeated unaddressed issues, or persistent hazards. The plan will outline how to identify these properties and predatory landlord practices, establish referral methods from residents, government agencies, and tenant groups, and detail various interventions to protect tenants, such as financial penalties, legal actions, required escrow accounts, corrective action plans with deadlines, inspections, pest eradication, structural repairs, temporary relocation assistance, and landlord remediation records. The bill also mandates recommendations for legislative changes to further assist tenants and will take effect on July 1, 2026, remaining in force for 1 year and 6 months until December 31, 2027.

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https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB1218?ys=2026RS