Q. Why do I have to register my property, I never had to in the past?
A. On December 19, 2007 the Baltimore County Council passed Bill 87-07 requiring that all buildings or a portions of a building that contain one to six dwelling units, intended, or designed to be rented, leased, let or be hired out to be occupied for living purposes be registered and licensed with Baltimore County.
Purpose: To establish a licensing program in the county in order to create an additional procedure for the enforcement of county codes and regulations to protect and promote the:
- Public safety
- health
- Welfare
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Q. How did this rental program come about and when?
A. This program is a Baltimore County Council initiative that started as a pilot program in certain neighborhoods and has grown, by vote of the Council, to cover the entire County on February 3, 2008.
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Q. How long do I have to register my property?
A. You must register and be licensed on or before July 1, 2008.
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Q. What if I don't register my property?
A. A person who owns and rents a dwelling unit or a portion of a dwelling unit without a license may be subject to the denial, suspension, revocation or non-renewal of the license and/or civil penalties of $25 per day for each day a violation occurs and $200 per day for each day a correction notice is not complied with, and there will be a $1,000 fine for not complying with the Rental Registration Law. (See page 3, Section 6: Agreement / Disclaimer of the Rental Application.)
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Q. Does every rental property have to be registered?
A. No. Please refer to the Exemption Affidavit (PDF).
Forms (PDF) can be downloaded and are also available at all public libraries and senior centers, or Room 213 County Office Building- Bureau of Code Enforcement, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD 21204.
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Q. How do I register my property?
A.
- You need to have the home inspected. A 'home inspection" requires the inspection sheet (PDF - to be completed and signed by a licensed inspector) for the compliance of one or more of the components of an existing residential building with the health and safety requirements established by the Director.
The Home Inspector must be licensed with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulations.
- Return the following together:
Rental Application (PDF) - complete
Applicable lead inspection certificate
Inspection Evaluation Sheet (PDF) - completed by licensed home inspector or Registration Exemption Affidavit (PDF)
Application fee (on application), with payment coupon (PDF)
Note: Original signatures must be in Blue Ink.
These items are then forwarded to the Code Enforcement Bureau for review.
- Upon review and approval, the Bureau of Code Enforcement will register the property and send you the license.
You must renew every 3 years and you must have the property re-inspected upon renewal.
Forms (PDF) are also available at all public libraries and senior centers, or Room 213 County Office Building- Bureau of Code Enforcement, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD 21204.
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Q. Where do I get the forms?
A. You can download the forms (PDF), or pick up from all public libraries and senior centers, or Room 213 County Office Building - Bureau of Code Enforcement, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD 21204.
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Q. What will the home inspector look for?
A.
- Smoke detectors
- Electrical system - no apparent visual hazard(s),
- All plumbing is functional - with no apparent visual hazard(s)
- All windows operational - all windows designed to be opened are operational
- All combustion appliances are properly vented (i.e. furnace, hot water heater, dryer)
- Secondary means of escape from sleeping areas exist - no exterior health or safety hazards
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Q. How can I avoid the property failing for smoke detectors?
A. Make certain you follow the requirements:
Single Family Home
1. A hardwired smoke detector with a battery backup must be located in the corridor or hallway outside of sleeping areas.
2. If the home has a basement, a hardwired smoke detector with a battery backup must also be located in the basement, and it must interconnected to the smoke detectors outside of the sleeping areas.
Homes with 2 or 3 Apartments
1. A hardwired smoke detector with a battery backup must be located in the corridor or hallway outside of sleeping areas.
2. If the home has a basement, a hardwired smoke detector with a battery backup must also be located in the basement, but it only has to be interconnected to the smoke detector on the first floor.
- Homes with 4- 6 Apartments
1. A hardwired smoke detector with a battery backup must be located in the corridor or hallway outside of sleeping areas in each unit.
2. No smoke detector is required in the basement for homes with 4-6 apartment units.
Note: All smoke detectors must be NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code and UL Approved.
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Q. I was registered in the original "pilot" program do I have to register again? What if I have an existing license?
A. If you have
- Paid the application fee (prior to December 31, 2007)
- Not had the property inspected, and
- Never received your license
then contact Code Enforcement (410-887-8099) to set up your inspection.
- Must be completed by February 15, 2008
- If the property passes inspection you would then be "grandfathered" in to the new program.
- Due to the passing of Bill 87-07, your license renewal has been extended for one year. For example, if your current license expires 02/01/2008 you do not have to re-register until 02/01/2009.
Forms (PDF) are also available at all public libraries and senior centers, or Room 213 County Office Building- Bureau of Code Enforcement, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD 21204.
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Q. Can the lead paint and rental unit inspections be combined or do I have to pay separate contractors for each?
A. Yes, if that inspector is licensed and/or accredited with the State to perform both lead and home inspections.
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Q. How much will an inspection cost?
A. Baltimore County does not negotiate rates of individual inspectors. The inspector's charges are negotiated between the property owner and the inspector. Find a licensed inspector. Forms (PDF) are also available at all public libraries and senior centers, or Room 213 County Office Building- Bureau of Code Enforcement, 111 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson, MD 21204.
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Q.I own and live in a home, and rent a portion of it to other adults - is it exempt from rental registration?
A. It depends on the number of tenants and whether they are related to you. Owner-occupied rental units are exempt if the owner rents to family members who also live in the unit, or rents to no more than one other unrelated adult who lives in the unit. In either case, any number of minor dependants may live in the unit.
For example, an owner-occupant does not have to register as a rental unit if their adult boyfriend or girlfriend lives with them, or if they have one adult roommate.
Note: Please be aware that separate Baltimore County law prohibits more than two unrelated adults from living together unless the unit is authorized by the county as a rooming or boarding house.
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Q. A relative lives in a home that I own and he pays me rent. Must I register this property as a rental unit?
A. No, dwelling units are exempt from this law if they are occupied by a person who is related to the owner by blood, marriage, adoption, or legal custody. However, the relative living in the home may not have more than one additional adult living in the home. Minors dependents related to either adult may live in the home.
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Q. Are large apartment complexes covered by this law?
A. No, this law applies only to residential rental properties with one to six units. Larger rental complexes are covered by other county laws and regulations that ensure the safety and well being of their tenants.
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Revised April 3, 2008
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