Maryland Will Implement New Housing Laws in October 2026
The upcoming legislation mandates changes to criminal history screening, rental reporting, and cooling standards.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Apartments
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Starting October 1, 2026, Maryland will enforce three new housing laws aimed at reforming tenant screening processes, subsidy protections, and property habitability. These regulations impact housing providers across the state by setting new standards for how criminal history is reviewed and how rental payments are reported.
Why it matters
The state enacted these measures to address systemic issues in tenant screening and property standards to provide better protections for renters. By standardizing these policies, Maryland aims to ensure fairer housing access and improved living conditions for residents in multi-unit properties.
The Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act mandates that providers with five or more units must make a conditional housing offer before checking criminal history. Additionally, landlords with 10 or more units must maintain air conditioning at 80 degrees Fahrenheit or lower from June through September.
The players
Department of Housing and Community Development
This state agency is responsible for overseeing housing policy and is currently developing voluntary model forms for landlords.
The details
Under the new laws, housing providers must allow applicants to provide documentation for reassessment if an offer is withdrawn due to criminal history. Furthermore, tenants must be offered the opportunity to report rental payments to consumer reporting agencies, with reporting fees capped at $10 per month.
Timeline
June 1, 2025: Reference point for existing air-conditioning provision status.
January 1, 2025: Reference point for prior air-conditioning lease requirements.
June 1, 2026: Construction cutoff for new rental air-conditioning requirements.
October 1, 2026: Effective date for all three new housing laws.
January 1, 2027: Deadline to offer rental reporting to existing tenants.
Roadmap
The new regulations reflect a broader trend of state legislatures taking a more active role in setting habitability standards and removing barriers to rental housing. By codifying these protections, Maryland is aligning its rental market with recent legislative shifts seen in other jurisdictions aimed at increasing tenant stability.
Prospective tenants in multi-unit buildings can expect a more standardized application process that prohibits premature criminal background checks. Meanwhile, renters will have new rights regarding cooling standards and the option to build credit through rental payment reporting.
The takeaway
Renters should prepare for these changes by familiarizing themselves with their new rights regarding cooling and credit reporting before the October 2026 deadline. Landlords should review their current screening and maintenance policies to ensure full compliance with the upcoming penalty-backed mandates.
Further reading
Learn more about local rental regulations on the Maryland Apartments page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WGMD.
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