Baltimore Mayor Signs Rental Health and Safety Law

The Rental Dwelling Health and Safety Enforcement Act, Council Bill 25-0141, expands rental licensing and enforcement across Baltimore.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Apartments

Photograph of a row of weathered brick rowhouses with marble steps on a quiet Baltimore street, one front door freshly painted green. — Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott signed Council Bill 25-0141, expanding rental licensing and enforcement to curb fraud and repeat housing-code violations citywide. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott signed the Rental Dwelling Health and Safety Enforcement Act, Council Bill 25-0141, which is designed to ensure all rental properties in the city are properly licensed. The bill was passed unanimously by the Baltimore City Council and was led by Councilwoman Odette Ramos.

Why it matters

The law addresses fraud in the rental licensing process and creates enforcement mechanisms for properties that repeatedly violate housing codes. It follows concerns that tenants have lived with mold and no heat under unsafe rental conditions.

The law expands licensing from properties with more than 20 units to all rental dwellings in Baltimore, and landlords must address violations within 90 days to avoid Priority Dwelling status. The Department of Housing and Community Development must audit at least 100 existing rental dwelling licensees, but the extraction gives no figure for the total number of affected properties.

The players

Brandon Scott

Brandon Scott is the mayor of Baltimore, who signed the rental licensing reform into law.

Odette Ramos

Odette Ramos is a member of the Baltimore City Council who served as the lead sponsor of the rental licensing bill.

The details

A judge can appoint a receiver to bring a property up to code and sell it to a new owner. Tenants can file complaints outside the 311 system when they suspect a rental license was obtained fraudulently, though complainants must first pursue an administrative appeal before filing a judicial appeal.

Mayor Scott signed the rental licensing reform bill on Thursday.
Some provisions of the new law, including license audits and inspector licensing, take effect on Dec. 31, 2027.

Legal Context

The Rental Dwelling Health and Safety Enforcement Act builds on the earlier Strengthening Renters Safety Act passed by the Baltimore City Council. It extends that prior framework by broadening rental licensing coverage and adding enforcement tools against landlords who repeatedly violate housing codes.

Renters in Baltimore may see stronger protections against unsafe conditions, since all rental properties must now be properly licensed. Tenants who suspect a license was obtained fraudulently can file complaints outside the 311 system after completing an administrative appeal.

The takeaway

Baltimore renters should check whether their rental property holds a valid license, since enforcement now extends to all rental dwellings. Tenants facing unsafe conditions can document problems and use the complaint process when licensing irregularities are suspected.

What happens next

Some provisions of the Rental Dwelling Health and Safety Enforcement Act take effect on Dec. 31, 2027, including license audits and inspector licensing.