Baltimore Co.Baltimore County began a rental licensing (RL) pilot program in 2002. The pilot was located in certain areas including Hawthorne Park, Old Dundalk and St. Helena. The pilot was expanded in 2005 to include areas affected by overcrowding and college/student populations. And on December 19, 2007, Baltimore County Council Bill 87-07 was passed requiring that all buildings or a portion of a building that contain one to six dwelling units, intended, or designed to be rented, leased, let or be hired out to be occupied for living purposes be registered and licensed with Baltimore County.

Program Features Baltimore County has approximately 16,000 rental properties Buildings that contain 1 – 6 units must register and apply for a rental license Private-sector contractors must be hired to complete RL application

o Estimated market costs for inspectors is $125 to $150 per unit Rental fees are set at $40 and $50 per unit, depending on type of building Fines

o For non-compliance, $1,000o Civil penalties of $25 per day for each day a violation occurso Civil penalties of $200 per day for each day that the person does not

comply with a correction notice License renewal is required every three years on the anniversary of its effective

date Inspections occur with the renewal cycle

o Private inspectors must be used for renewals as well The RL program has eight (8) exemptions, including:

o Dwellings that are solely owner-occupied (definitions at top, pg. 8 of ordinance)

o Dwellings with seven (7) or more dwelling unitso Apartment complexeso Group houseso Dwelling units exempted by the Department as required by federal or state

law or regulationo Dwelling units occupied by a former owner who, after having sold the

dwelling unit to a new owner, continues to reside in the dwelling unit, provided the residency lasts not more than 12 months

o Subject to regulations adopted by the Department, dwellings occupied by an owner and an individual paid by the owner, including a nurse, nanny or other household assistant

o Dwelling units solely occupied by a person related by blood, marriage, or adoption to or under the legal custody of the owner of the dwelling unit (definitions at bottom, pg. 8 of ordinance)

*Additional information is available at http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/permits/rentalregistration/index.html

Montgomery Co.Beginning in July 2004, rental housing units within the county had to register and obtain a license from the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA). The county has about 20,000 licenses, and according to county officials, a major factor in the program’s initiation was the backlog of court cases involving landlords and tenants. A control mechanism was needed to handle a growing number of complaints and a method of information sharing needed to be developed for renters and owners alike. One key characteristic of Montgomery’s RL model is the inclusion of value-add services – such as landlord-tenant dispute resolution, credit check services, lease agreement templates and other education materials. However, Montgomery Co.’s RL program is still largely complaint-driven, operating without annual inspections.

Program Features Montgomery County has approximately 20,000 rental properties There are two classes of licenses in the Montgomery program*

o Apartment buildings, complexes, etc.o Single family townhouses, duplex, etc.

Units are inspected only on a complaint-driven basis Rental fees range between $38 to $98 per unit, depending on type of building Fines

o For non-compliance, $500 for first office, $750 for subsequent Services

o License fees are used to support: Landlord-tenant dispute resolution process Credit-Check services (below market rate at $11 per check) Lease agreement templates Online complaint form

(http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dhca/housing/code_e/complaint.asp)

Code enforcement activities Other education services

License renewal is required every year within 30 days of receipt after the end of the county’s fiscal year (June 30)

Inspections do not follow the renewal cycleo Inspections occur on a complaint-driven basis only

The RL program has two (2) exemptions, including:o Owner Occupied: A unit may be exempt if someone who is a partial

owner lives in the unit - caller should contact the licensing unit for details.o Relative Occupied: A unit may be exempt if it is occupied by a relative of

the owner

*See handout for fee structure

*Additional information is available at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dhctmpl.asp?url=/content/dhca/Licensing/licensing_landlord_tenant.asp

RockvilleIn the City of Rockville, the Community Enhancement & Code Enforcement division is housed within the Rockville City Police Department. Rockville has also established a City Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs alongside its rental licensing program. Rockville’s commission designed to address issues between landlords and tenants is the most detailed program of its kind in the state.* Generally, the code outlines the parameters of the seven-member commission and describes the rights and obligations of landlords/ tenants for minimum terms of lease. All rental properties must pass the required inspection prior to the issuance of a rental license.

Program Features Rockville has five (5) classes of licenses, including:

o Innkeeper’s licenseo Multiple-family dwelling license

Apartmentso Rooming house licenseo Single-family dwelling rental unit license

Detached houses Townhouses Condominiums

o Accessory apartment rental unit license Government inspections are required for rental licenses and renewals

o Cost of inspection is part of fee, unless the inspection is failed and an inspector must return

$50 fees are assessed on repeat inspections Rental fees are set at $100 and $200 per unit, depending on type of building

o Single-family fees are $200 every two yearso Multi-family fees are $100 annually

Serviceso License fees are used to support:

Landlord-tenant dispute resolution process Lease agreement templates Code enforcement activities Other education services

License renewal is required every two years for single-family dwellings; every year for multi-family dwellings

Inspections occur with the renewal cycle - annually for multiple-family dwellings and biannually for single-family dwellings

*Detailed composition and appointment processes available upon request, or by clicking here.**Additional information is available at http://www.rockvillemd.gov/police/code-enforce.htm

Laurel The City of Laurel conducts its rental licensing program within the Department of Community Planning and Business Services. According to an official with the city, Laurel adopted the 2009 International Property Maintenance Code this year. The department has three (3) code enforcement officers, two (2) inspectors and two (2) planners who oversee 5,000 rental units. Landlord/tenant resolution is referred to a Prince George’s County office.

Program Features Laurel has two classes of licenses, based on structure type:

o Single-Family Townhouse Condominium Duplex Apartment-style above/below a business

o Multi-Family apartment complexes and similar

Government inspections are required for initial rental license applicantso Cost of inspection is part of fee, unless the inspection is failed and an

inspector must return $50 fees are assessed on repeat inspections

Rental fees are set at $10 and $25 per unit, depending on type of structureo Single-family fees are $25o Multi-family fees are $10

Fineso For non-compliance, $75 for single-family, $55 for multifamily per day

Serviceso License fees are used to support:

Code enforcement activities Other education services

License renewal is required every year for both structure types Inspections do not follow the renewal cycle

o Individual rental properties (of less than 12 units) must be re-inspected every three (3) years.

If an inspection reveals no fire/life safety infractions, the Chief Building Official may grant the property owner a 1-year inspection extension.

o In rental communities of at least 12 units but less than 60 units, a minimum of 65 percent of the total units shall be inspected every three (3) years.

*See handout for fee structure*Additional information is available at http://www.laurel.md.us/content/residential-rental-licenses

GaithersburgThe Neighborhood Services Team is responsible for administering and enforcing a variety of City Codes regarding property maintenance, public nuisances, rental housing, landlord-tenant relations, vendors, and home-based businesses. Additionally, the team pursues an outreach program to work with homeowners associations, rental communities, and citizens to enhance the appearance and safety of the City of Gaithersburg. Neighborhood Services is a division of the Planning and Code Administration Department. The department is in charge of approximately 1800-1900 single-family units and staffed by two (2) rental housing inspectors and five (5) code enforcement officers.

Program Features Gaithersburg has approximately 1800 – 1900 single-family units There are two classes of licenses in the Gaithersburg program:

o Apartment buildings, complexes, etc.o Single family townhouses, duplex, etc.

Rental fees range between $110 to a $150 per unit, depending on type of building Fines

o For non-compliance, $500 for first office, $750 for subsequent Services

o License fees are used to support: Yearly Apartment Rate Guide w/ availability listings and contact

information* Neighborhood Matching Grants*

Part of the City’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program, usually conducted jointly with homeowners associations

Landlord-tenant dispute resolution process Lease agreement templates Code enforcement activities Other education services

License renewal is required every two years Inspections follow the renewal cycle

o Multi-family dwellings are inspected on a rolling basis w/ all units checked over a 2-year period

*Denotes additional information included in Gaithersburg section #5 of Rental Licensing Survey**Additional information is available at http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=93&TOC=107;83;93

Ocean CityOcean City, Maryland has a unique rental community because of its tourism-based and seasonal economy. OC has approximately 25,000 units and includes a noise permit with rental licenses. Ocean City’s program seems to suffer from an overall lack of seriousness. The fees are large and there is only one code enforcement officer on staff charged with oversight of rental properties. However, the city’s dynamics may not warrant a more proactive, or detailed program.

Program Features Approximately 25,000 units in Ocean City Rental fees are $114 (with an additional $24 dollar noise permit) Fines

o For non-compliance, fines range from $25 per day to $1000 per day Services

o License fees are used to support: Code enforcement activities

License renewal is required yearly (May 1 to April 30) Inspections do not follow the renewal cycle

o Rental properties are not inspected upon application or renewal; they are only inspected when a complaint is filed

o According to the city code: “An inspection…may be conducted prior to the issuance of a license upon recommendation of any reviewing agency.”

*Denotes additional information included in Ocean City #6 of Rental Licensing Survey**Additional information is available at http://oceancitymd.gov/Finance/license.html

HagerstownHagerstown is very similar to Frederick in size and housing demographics. They are believed to have similar amounts of rental units, if not fewer. Their rental licensing program was started in 2003. In addition to a rental licensing program, Hagerstown also has a vacant residential structure ordinance, which was instituted in 2007, and has an associated fee for inspections and registration.

Program Features Hagerstown has approximately 3000 properties with about 8200 units There are two classes of licenses in the Gaithersburg program:

o Single and multi-family rental unitso Rooming Houses – units that share bathroom, kitchens, etc.

Rental feeso $50 per single/multi-family unito $100 for rooming houses, plus $10 for each unit within said rooming

house Fines

o For non-compliance or failure to report tenant turnover, $500 per day not to exceed $1000

Vacant Structures*o Fees

$100 per unit Annual interior/exterior inspection Valid for one-year

Serviceso License fees are used to support:

Code enforcement activities Other education services

License renewal is required every year Inspections follow the renewal cycle

o Exterior inspection are performed with receipt of an application or renewalo Interior inspections are performed at tenant turnover, but never more

frequently than once every 3 years. Exceptions include:

o New construction, within the first year of the issuance of the Use & Occupancy permit

o “Owners-plus-one”, which are rental facilities where a portion of the premises is owner-occupied and said premises contain no more than one rental unit.

o Rental facilities owned and operated by Hagerstown Housing Authorityo Single unit rental properties occupied by tenants who are related within a

certain degree to the owner are exempt from paying the application fee,

but still must register. These exempt tenants are: parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings, whether naturally, step or in-law.

*Denotes additional information included in Hagerstown #7 of Rental Licensing Survey**Additional information is available at http://www.hagerstownmd.org/engineering/CodeAdmin/Licensing.asp

SalisburySalisbury enacted a rental licensing program in 2006 and it’s enforced by the city’s Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance division. Similar to Hagerstown, Salisbury has a vacant property ordinance that requires owners to register their properties and makes the liable for property degradation. One unique aspect of the Salisbury program is a Slum Property of the Week, which is featured on the City’s homepage. The property’s owners are listed along with police calls for service and enforcement notices of violation handed to the property in the last two years. To compliment these types of properties, the city has enacted a Property Maintenance Habitual Offender ordinance, which carries a $500 fine for rental properties that attain such status.

Program Features Salisbury has approximately 1800 – 1900 single-family units Rental fees

o $50 annually ($25 for license, $25 for registration) Fines

o For non-compliance, $200 per day Vacant Property fee*

o $25 per year for registration Services

o License fees are used to support: Slum Property of the Week* Habitual Offender tracking * Code enforcement activities Other education services

License renewal is required annually (for both rental and vacant properties) Inspections do not follow the renewal cycle

o All properties must be inspected upon initial application for rental licenseo There is a non-mandatory lottery inspection pool for renewal licenses

Inspectors try to do an inspection once every three years

*Denotes additional information included in Salisbury section #8 of Rental Licensing Survey**Additional information is available at http://www.ci.salisbury.md.us/Departments/NeighborhoodServicesandCodeCompliance/tabid/536/Default.aspx

Takoma ParkThe City of Takoma Park share’s code enforcement services with Montgomery County, and the City has mirrored (or shares) many of the County’s value-added services with regards to rental licensing. Included in these is inspection/complaint response (including an online compliant form); a similar landlord/tenant commission; and similar code language. Takoma Park has also mandated a certification program for landlords and property agents. The three-year certification is required prior to the issuance of all rental housing licenses and can be obtained by attending a 90-minute seminar or upon the successful completion of a 60-question multiple choice exam.

Program Features Takoma Park has approximately 400-500 rental properties Fees

o $94 per unit Fines

o For non-compliance, $500 for first office, $750 for subsequent Services

o License fees are used to support: Landlord-tenant dispute resolution process Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs Landlord Certification Program

Good for three (3) yearso 90-min class offered once per month, ORo 60-question written exam

My TKPK Customer Service Center (http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/customer_service/index.html)

On-line complaint form (Maintained by Montgomery Co.) Rent Stabilization Program Code enforcement activities Other education (workshops and seminars for tenants/landlords)

License renewal is required annuallyo Takoma has a Biennial Residential Rental Inspection Program, which

allows well-maintained (fewer than 5 minor violations) properties to apply every two (2) years.

Inspections follow the renewal cycleo Inspections are conducted under contract with the Montgomery County

Department of Housing and Community Affairs' Code Enforcement staffo County inspection staff also responds to all complaints filed by tenants or

others regarding the condition of a rental property

*Denotes additional information included in Takoma Park section #9 of Rental Licensing Survey**Additional information on an alternative to the class (a written exam) is available at: http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/hcd/documents/Certification%20Exam%20%20Apr%202009.pdf ***For more information on Tokoma Park’s program, visit http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/hcd/code_enforcement/index.html

HyattsvilleHyattsville operates a fairly standard rental licensing program that includes inspections upon application and license renewal. The City has an online complaint form and request tracking system that allows citizens to file complaints using the Web. Hyattsville has two inspectors who manage a total 240 rental properties.

Program Features Hyattsville has approximately 240 rental properties There are two classes of dwellings in the Hyattsville program:

o Multi-family units: Apartment buildings, complexes, etc.

o Single family Townhouses, duplex, etc.

Fees o $225 per unit for single-family unitso $120 per unit for multi-family units

Fineso For non-compliance, $1000

Serviceso License fees are used to support:

On-line complaint form (http://www.hyattsville.org/requesttracker.aspx)

Code enforcement activities Other education*

License renewal o Required annually for single-family dwellingso Multi-family units are valid for two years

Inspections follow the renewal cycleo Inspections are conducted every year for single-family dwellings and

biannually for multi-family units

*Denotes additional information included in Hyattsville #10 of Rental Licensing Survey**For more information on Hyattsville’s program, visit http://www.hyattsville.org/index.aspx?NID=154