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Multi-Family Properties Rental License Requirements |
Who Must Be Licensed?
Montgomery County Code Chapter 29 requires all multi-family property owners obtain a rental housing license before their property units may be rented or advertised for rent.
- Rental Housing Licenses are effective for one year from July 1st through June 30th.
- Check if property is licensed at eProperty Data Mining
- Report unlicensed rental property
- Owners must notify the Licensing and Registration office when they no longer rent or sell the rental property
What is required to receive a Rental Housing License?
- Complete online Rental Housing License Application (requires an AccessMCG account)
- Complete all contact information for owner(s), Administrative Agents or Management Contacts
- Corporation Owners must include all contact information for General Partner(s) with at least 5% interest in corporation
- Trusts Ownerships must include all contact information for Trustee(s)
- .Owners who live outside of Maryland or who use P.O. Box must designate a Resident Agent who lives in Maryland or is licensed to conduct business in Maryland for service of process.
- Maryland Lead Poisoning Compliance is required for properties built prior to January 1, 1978
- Annual MDE Registration for Tracking Number
- Lead Poisoning Inspection Certificate
- Newly purchased properties must include HUD-1 form or Settlement Sheet with new owners' name(s)
- Pay annual license fee for each year or partial year property is rented
- Pay fees online with credit card or ACH/eCheck (How to Pay Online)
- Pay fees by mail with check or money order
- Fees are not pro-rated for a partial rental period between July 1st - June 30th
What else is required for Multi-Family Rental Housing License?
- Copy of Property's Rent Roll
- List of entire property's rental units including each unit's address, current rent, number of bedrooms, occupancy or advertised rent of vacant units
- Copy of Property's Lease and Lease Addendum (unless using Montgomery County Sample Lease)
- Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS)
- Used when landlord bills tenants for utilities based on calculations of common area water and sewer charges
- Upload completed RUBS form at time of application
- Complete Annual Rental Housing Survey (April 1-30)
- Multi-family properties are required to complete the Rental Housing Survey on tenant services, rents, unit sizes, occupancy and structure types.
- Rental Housing Survey Results are published online
- Post current Rental Housing License in prominent public place such as the lobby, vestibule, rental office, or landlord unit.
What if I forgot something or need to update my application?
- Rental License applicants may login to their rental license accounts to upload missing documents, update information or pay fees online (requires an AccessMCG account)
Are there penalties for renting without a License or not completing the Rental Housing Survey?
- Any multi-family property owner who operates a rental property without first having obtained a License is subject to a class A violation and may have to pay $500 civil fines as a penalty.
- Any multi-family property owner who fails to complete the annual Rental Housing Survey is subject to a Class A violation and may have to pay $1000 civil fines as a penalty.
Do I have to apply online?
- Applying online is the fastest and easiest way to obtain a rental license
- If you are unable to apply online, you may print a hardcopy of the Rental Housing Multi-Family License Application
- Complete all application information, attach required supporting documents and include a check or money order with the rental license per unit fee and mail to:
DHCA Licensing and Registration, 1401 Rockville Pike, 4th Floor, Rockville, MD 20852
What if I have more questions?
- If you have more questions, see Frequently Asked Questions or contact Licensing and Registration, via the Montgomery County MC311 service, at 311 (within Montgomery County) or (240) 777-0311.