Tenant Safety Act | Maryland Legislative Agenda
Holding Landlords Accountable for Repairs
Update: The General Assembly passed the Tenant Safety Act. The bill moves to Governor Wes Moore's desk for his signature.
The Tenant Safety Act helps renters build power, against serious conditions of disrepair that threaten the lives, health and safety of multiple tenants with the same landlord in the same apartment complex. HB 691/SB 807 is sponsored by Delegate Stewart and Senator Kelly. This bill has passed the House and is now in the Maryland Senate.
Joins Similar Cases Together
- Makes it easier for tenants with the same issues and landlord to join in a single rent escrow case.
Resets Expectations
- If a landlord refuses to make repairs, then normally a tenant should pay a reduced rent (by 50% in most cases) going forward into escrow until repairs are made. For claims of past-due rent, clarify that a tenant should not pay the full amount of rent if the landlord refused to fix major defects. At the end, the Court decides how much is due to each party.
Levels the Playing Field with Attorney’s Fees
- Allows a tenant to recover attorney’s fees and costs if they win. Landlords already get this through their leases. More attorneys will take these cases and help level the playing field.
