Maryland Enacts New Rental Housing Protections

New housing laws took effect on October 1, 2026, establishing tenant protections and updated property standards statewide.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Apartments

Gouache-painted illustration of brass keys hanging on a hook, symbolizing new residential rental standards in Maryland. — New Maryland housing laws enacted October 1 now mandate standardized application procedures and habitable building standards for rental properties statewide. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support new state rules that restrict how landlords check criminal histories for rental applicants?

As of October 1, 2026, Maryland implemented new housing laws that regulate landlord-tenant interactions and update facility requirements. These measures focus on increasing equity in the rental application process while mandating specific temperature controls for larger residential buildings.

Why it matters

The legislation aims to standardize protections for renters by curbing discriminatory application practices and ensuring habitable living conditions. By setting clear operational requirements for landlords, the state seeks to bridge the gap between housing providers and tenants.

Landlords owning five or more units must now make conditional housing offers before assessing criminal history, with violations carrying a $500 penalty. Additionally, buildings with 10 or more units are required to maintain indoor temperatures at or below 80 degrees during the summer.

The players

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

This state agency is responsible for creating voluntary model forms to assist housing providers with compliance under the new laws.

The details

Under the new Fair Chance Housing Act, providers must allow applicants to request a reassessment after a conditional offer is withdrawn due to their criminal background. The regulations also bar landlords from mandating drug or alcohol tests and require them to offer tenants the option to report on-time rental payments to credit bureaus.

New Maryland housing laws took effect on October 1, 2026.

Culture Shift

The implementation of the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act signals a departure from traditional application processes that prioritized background checks over housing access. This shift reflects a broader societal movement toward reducing barriers for individuals with criminal records while improving tenant welfare.

Prospective tenants in the state can now expect a more standardized application process that prohibits mandatory drug testing and includes protections for subsidy users. Residents in large apartment buildings will also benefit from guaranteed indoor temperature cooling during the summer months.

The takeaway

Renters should familiarize themselves with these new rights, specifically regarding how and when criminal history can be discussed during the application phase. Prospective tenants are encouraged to request the required reassessment process if they feel a housing offer was unfairly withdrawn.