MD SB462

Counties may adopt local laws prohibiting landlords who own 6 or more residential rental units in Maryland from failing to renew leases or terminating holdover tenancies without demonstrating good cause

Good cause grounds include substantial lease breaches (with 14-day cure period), routine disorderly conduct, illegal activity, refusal to accept new lease offers within 1 month, habitual late rent payments (more than 10 days late at least 4 times in 12 months), landlord personal use by specified family members, substantial renovations requiring vacancy, or removing unit from rental market for at least 1 year

Landlords must provide written notice via first-class mail with certificate of mailing stating the good cause for nonrenewal/termination, or stating they are exempt from the requirements, using forms developed by the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs

Landlords claiming exemption must disclose ownership information including all individuals and entities with direct or indirect ownership interest and the number and addresses of all rental units they own in Maryland; failure to submit disclosure form and affidavit with court complaints subjects landlord to good cause requirements

Local ordinances may not apply to owner-occupied units, must apply uniformly throughout the county including municipalities, and may not add alternative grounds beyond those specified in the state law; effective date October 1, 2026