Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) is ratcheting up efforts to inform and protect tenants. New DHCA actions include an upgraded tenant rights website, initiating more extensive inspections and compliance efforts and creating an inventory of buildings that require extra attention to achieve and remain in compliance with County codes –while maintaining a marketplace that is fair to both tenants and landlords.
The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved Bill 19-15 to address issues with landlord-tenant relations on November 30, 2016. In addition to a more extensive inspection process, Bill 19-15 includes several other changes in tenant rights and protections. Improvements included greater clarity and flexibility with leases, expanded options for DHCA to deal with landlords who do not make mandated repairs in a timely manner, and a guarantee of free meeting places to gather and form tenant organizations.
More information, vist montgomerycountymd.gov/tenantrights or see press release.