PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. — As rent continues to climb across the region, some local officials are exploring measures that could help protect renters.
The Prince George’s County Council is considering a bill to limit a landlord's ability to increase rent beyond a certain percentage annually.
Under the Rent Stabilization Act, a landlord is not allowed to increase rent to an amount that exceeds 3% per year of the existing rent amount for any tenant. Additionally, the landlord can’t issue a notice of rent increase, late fees or penalties during the six-month period of this act.
Councilmembers Krystal Oriadha, Edward Burroughs, Wale Blegay, Thomas Dernoga, Jolene Ivey, and Eric Olson proposed and sponsored the bill on Dec.12, 2022.
Montgomery County implemented similar measures during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that temporarily limited rent increases and notifications of rent increases by landlords in the county.
The Expedited Bill 22-22, which is currently pending before the Montgomery County Council, is the closest analog to this bill. In July 2022, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich proposed limiting rent increases in Montgomery County to 4.4% for six more months.
The legislation would be the first for Prince George’s County, post-COVID State of Emergency.
Department of Housing and Community and Department and Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement will provide information about the requirements of the section on their respective websites.
DHCD and DPIE will email and post a notice to license holders of the prohibition of rent increases for a tenant in this section, evictions, late fees, or penalties, and a three percent per annum limit on rent increase for any tenant within fifteen days of enactment of this Act.
If passed, the bill will include a sunset provision limiting its effective period to six months after it takes effect.