Legislative Issues:

Local and State Governments continually propose new laws and regulations that affect rental property ownership, investment, and management.

The stated goal of the Property Owners Association of Greater Baltimore, Inc. is to promote decent affordable housing in the Greater Baltimore Area. Much of the legislation and regulation, though well-meaning and well-intended has the effect of increasing the cost of managing and owner rental property; costs that are ultimately passed on to those who can least afford it, residents of our rental properties. In 2008, over 1,600 new pieces of legislation were proposed in the House of Delegates and over 1,000 bills were introduced in the State Senate.

You are encouraged to contribute to the POA PAC so that we can raise money to lobby legislative representatives and administrative personnel to keep rental housing in Baltimore affordable.

Click here to find a list of Members of the Baltimore City Council, Baltimore County Council and State Delegates and Senators.

Current Issues Affecting Rental Housing:

State Issues:

A proposal will be made to increase the amount of a "Qualified Offer" that a landlord must make to a Tenant in the event that a tenant has elevated blood lead levels.
A proposal will be made to restrict a property owner's ability to demolish a house that may contain lead-based paint.
Changes to the housing code will be proposed that will increase the cost of renovating houses.
A proposal will be made to prohibit rejecting a rental application on the basis of "sources of income". A similar law was implemented in Montgomery County in 2007 with the state purpose of prohibiting a landlord from refusing to rent to Section 8 tenants. Under such a new law, a landlord would be required to rent to Section 8 tenants. Currently, landlords participation in Section 8 rentals is voluntary.
A proposal to limit occupancy in housing located near Universities.