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Licensing and Registration

  

 

Before a residential dwelling unit, personal property or multifamily property can be offered for rent in Montgomery County, the owner must obtain a rental facility license from Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Licensing and Registration (Montgomery County Code Chapter 29, Landlord-Tenant Relations).

Any landlord without a Montgomery County Rental License is unable to pursue legal action against a tenant for unpaid rent in the District Court of Maryland and is subject to a civil citation from the Licensing and Registration Unit. Rental property owners cannot be more than 30 days past due on their homeowners or condominium association fees to obtain, renew or maintain a rental license. In addition, rental property owners who live outside Maryland must designate a Legal Agent who lives in Maryland to accept legal documents.

All rental properties built before January 1, 1978 are required to comply with the State of Maryland’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Program standards in order to be licensed. These property owners must provide proof to the Department’s Licensing and Registration unit of their registration with the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) and/or a copy of the MDE Lead Paint Certificate indicating the rental property has passed inspection. For more information on the state’s lead poisoning requirements or to schedule an inspection, visit MDE’s website at:

www.mde.state.md.us/programs/Land/LeadPoisoningPrevention/Pages/index.aspx

Licensing and Registration is responsible for issuing rental licenses to over 100,000 condominiums, single-family homes, multi-family units and accessory apartments under Montgomery County Code, Chapter 29, Landlord-Tenant Regulations. In addition, the unit registers 1,100 homeowner and condominium associations known as Common Ownership Communities under Chapter 10B, Common Ownership Communities. Annually, Licensing and Registration conducts Montgomery County’s Rental Housing Survey on area rent, vacancies, turnover, utilities and amenities which is published on the CountyStat website.

Rentals NOT Covered

  • Room Rentals: A property is exempt from licensing if someone who has an ownership interest in the property occupies it and rents out rooms;
  • Rental properties located in the Towns of Barnesville and Laytonsville;
  • Transient housing: guest room in an apartment, hotel, boarding house, tourist home, inn, motel, school dormitory, hospital, or medical facility;
  • Commercial rental property; and
  • Housing operated for religious or charitable purposes.

Rental properties located within the following incorporated city limits, should contact the appropriate municipality directly for specific licensing requirements (see below):

  • City of Gaithersburg (301-258-6340)
  • City of Rockville (240-314-8330)
  • City of Takoma Park (301-891-7255)

For more information about the Licensing and Registration process, browse the links below:

or Licensing and Registration, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DHCALicensing