--- title: "Three Maryland Housing Laws That Took Effect October 1, 2026" description: "Maryland's Fair Chance Housing Act, subsidy and rent-reporting rules, and an apartment cooling rule began October 1, 2026. See what to update in your lease." url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/maryland-housing-laws-october-2026 publisher: Real Property Management Gold phone: +1-301-392-2172 assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment --- # Three Maryland Housing Laws That Took Effect October 1, 2026 Three Maryland housing laws took effect October 1, 2026: the Fair Chance Housing Act (SB 937), a law on income-based housing subsidies and positive rent reporting (SB 335/HB 315), and an air-conditioning rule for certain apartment buildings with 10 or more units (SB 12). DHCD also published the 2027 Tenants' Bill of Rights. Maryland lawPublished October 13, 20264 min read ## Which Maryland housing laws took effect October 1, 2026? Three. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) lists them in a public notice for housing providers. It also published the 2027 Tenants’ Bill of Rights on October 1, 2026. Law Bill What it covers Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act SB 937, Chapter 752 How certain providers consider criminal history in screening Income-based subsidies and positive rent reporting SB 335/HB 315, Chapters 773/772 Applicants who use subsidies; option to report on-time rent Air-conditioning requirement SB 12, Chapter 664 Certain apartment buildings with 10 or more units ## What does the Fair Chance Housing Act require? It applies to housing providers who own or manage five or more residential units in Maryland. DHCD says it does not apply to owner-occupied rental units or to providers who do not run criminal background checks. The [Fair Chance Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-chance-housing-act) glossary entry gives a short definition. DHCD summarizes the law this way. 1. A provider generally must make a conditional offer before checking criminal history. 2. Applicants must disclose certain specified convictions if asked. 3. If a provider withdraws a conditional offer because of criminal history, it must give the reason. 4. The applicant may ask for a reassessment and may submit more documents. 5. A provider may not advertise that it will not consider applicants with criminal histories. 6. A provider may not require drug or alcohol testing. 7. Penalties can reach $500 per violation. DHCD says it is developing voluntary model forms. Providers do not have to use them. If you manage fewer than five units, read the notice anyway and ask an attorney how the law reaches your situation. ## What changed for applicants who use housing subsidies? A provider generally may not refuse an applicant who will pay rent with an income-based subsidy because of the applicant’s income, credit score or lack of one, or adverse credit history from before the subsidy. A provider may verify income for the part of the rent the subsidy does not cover. A provider may still look at references, lease violations, unpaid utilities, nuisance and property damage. Maryland treats housing vouchers as a lawful source of income. Our [housing vouchers guide for landlords](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/housing-vouchers-maryland-landlords) and the [housing choice voucher](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/housing-choice-voucher) entry give background. Solomons Island. Photo: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0. ## What is positive rent reporting? Providers must offer tenants the option to have on-time, complete rent payments reported to consumer reporting agencies. Lease date When to offer the option New leases Starting October 1, 2026 Leases signed before October 1, 2026 By January 1, 2027 All tenants At least once each year A provider may charge participating tenants a fee. It may not exceed the lesser of the provider’s actual cost or $10 per month. ## Does the air-conditioning law apply to my house? Probably not. DHCD describes the rule as covering apartment buildings with 10 or more units. It applies only to certain units: those built after June 1, 2026, those that had air conditioning at any time after January 1, 2025, those whose lease required the provider to supply it, and those that get a qualifying electrical or heating renovation after October 1, 2026. Buildings on the National Register of Historic Places are excluded. Covered providers must make air conditioning available that can cool a unit to 80 degrees or lower from June 1 to September 30. If the provider controls the system, it must keep the unit at 80 or below in that period. Most single-family owners are not covered. If you own a larger building, read the bill. ## What should I update in my lease and forms? Follow these steps. 1. Replace the Tenants’ Bill of Rights with the 2027 version. See the [Tenants’ Bill of Rights](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights) entry. 2. Add the positive rent reporting option to every new lease. 3. Calendar January 1, 2027 for older leases. 4. If the Fair Chance Act reaches you, review your screening order and ads. 5. Check your [security deposit](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/security-deposit) and [late fee](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/late-fee) terms against current limits. 6. Read the [Maryland landlord-tenant law guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/maryland-landlord-tenant-law) for the rest. ## What are the key dates? Date What happens October 1, 2026 All three laws take effect; DHCD publishes the 2027 Tenants’ Bill of Rights October 1, 2026 New leases must include the positive rent reporting option January 1, 2027 Older leases must be offered the option June 1 to September 30 each year Covered apartment units must be cooled to 80 degrees or lower ## Where can I find forms? DHCD says its Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs page carries resources for landlords, including voluntary model forms. DHCD also says it is developing model forms for the Fair Chance Housing Act. You are not required to use any of them. ## How does the subsidy law change my screening steps? Write down your screening criteria before you take applications. Use the same criteria for every applicant. For an applicant who will pay with an income-based subsidy, check income only against the part of the rent the subsidy does not cover. Read references and lease history the same way you do for everyone else. Our [tenant screening guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/tenant-screening) walks through a consistent process. Calvert Cliffs State Park. Photo: Bohemian Baltimore, CC BY-SA 4.0. ## Next step Want help keeping leases current across several homes? Request a free assessment at [/contact-us](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us) or call (301) 392-2172. This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act? It sets rules for how certain housing providers may consider a prospective tenant's criminal history. DHCD says it applies to providers who own or manage five or more residential units in Maryland, not to owner-occupied rental units, and it takes effect October 1, 2026. ### Can a landlord refuse an applicant who uses a housing subsidy? Generally not because of the applicant's income, credit score or lack of one, or adverse credit from before the subsidy. A provider may verify income for the part of the rent the subsidy does not cover, and may consider references and lease history. ### Do landlords have to offer positive rent reporting? Yes. New leases must include the option starting October 1, 2026. For leases signed before that date, providers must offer it by January 1, 2027, and at least once each year. A fee may not exceed the lesser of actual cost or $10 per month. ### Does the air-conditioning law apply to a single-family rental? DHCD describes it as a rule for apartment buildings with 10 or more units. A single-family home is not that. Check the bill text or ask an attorney if you own a larger building or a mixed property. ### What lease change should every owner make? Attach the current Tenants' Bill of Rights. DHCD published the 2027 version on October 1, 2026. It says landlords must use the most recently published version and may not edit it. Replace old copies in every lease template. ## Terms on this page - [Fair Chance Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-chance-housing-act) - [Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights) - [Housing Choice Voucher](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/housing-choice-voucher) - [Security deposit](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/security-deposit) - [Late fee](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/late-fee) ## Sources 1. [Maryland DHCD: 2026 Maryland laws impacting housing providers will take effect Oct 1, 2026](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/news-stories/public-notices/2026-maryland-laws-impacting-housing-providers-will-take-effect-oct-1-2026) 2. [Maryland DHCD: Fair Chance Housing Act scope](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/news-stories/public-notices/2026-maryland-laws-impacting-housing-providers-will-take-effect-oct-1-2026) 3. [Maryland DHCD: positive rental payment reporting](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/news-stories/public-notices/2026-maryland-laws-impacting-housing-providers-will-take-effect-oct-1-2026) 4. [Maryland DHCD: air-conditioning requirement](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/news-stories/public-notices/2026-maryland-laws-impacting-housing-providers-will-take-effect-oct-1-2026) 5. [Maryland DHCD: Moore-Miller Administration Publishes 2027 Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/news-stories/press-releases/moore-miller-administration-publishes-2027-tenants-bill-rights-highlights-key-landlord-and-tenant) Checked against the sources above on October 13, 2026. Laws, fees and programs change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [Charles County Rental License Proposal: What Owners Should KnowCharles County has proposed a rental licensing program. As of October 29, 2026, the county's page says it is under review and subject to final adoption. If adopted, it would begin July 1, 2027, cost $107 a year with at least two inspections included, and set a registration deadline of December 31, 2027.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/charles-county-rental-license-proposal) - [Maryland Security Deposit Cap: A One-Month Lease ChecklistMaryland law caps a security deposit at one month's rent per dwelling unit (Real Property 8-203(b)). A narrow exception allows up to two months. Overcharging can cost a landlord up to three times the extra amount plus attorney's fees. Return the deposit, with any interest owed and a list of deductions, within 45 days after the tenancy ends.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/maryland-security-deposit-checklist) - [Does the Tenants' Bill of Rights Go in Every Maryland Lease?Yes. Maryland's Department of Housing and Community Development says landlords must attach a copy of the current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights to every lease and may not edit it. Real Property 8-208(c)(4) says a lease shall include the most current version. DHCD publishes an updated version each year by October 1.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/tenants-bill-of-rights-lease) ## Ask what your home could rent for. Free. A free rental assessment from our offices in Lexington Park and Waldorf. No cost, no contract, no pressure. [Request a free assessment](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment)[(301) 392-2172](tel:+13013922172)