Baltimore City Rental Inspections For Baltimore Landlords

What’s new about the law?

• All Multiple-family dwellings (MFD) must be licensed.
• All one- and two-unit dwellings must also be licensed.
• All rental units (including one- and two-unit dwellings) must pass an inspection to obtain a license.
• All rental units must have a sanitation plan educating tenants on proper waste storage and disposal.
• Effective date of January 1, 2019.
• There is now a tiered license expiration based on property owner’s compliance with code. All initial licenses are issued for a two-year period. When it is time for renewal, a landlord may be able to obtain a three-year license or be limited to a two- or one-year license based on your maintenance record and violation history.

Baltimore City Inspection Process:

The process is quite simple and usually won’t be longer than 30 minutes. As a matter of convenience, owners, landlords or property managers are not required to be at there as long as proper access has been coordinated with the tenant or, if vacant, there is a lock box in place.

We will email you a copy of the inspection form in advance so you are aware of exactly what the county requires and what will be inspected. We encourage clients to understand the requirements in advance to avoid lost time and potential additional cost.

Links

• Property Registration FAQ
• Council Bill

Baltimore City requires the following:

1. Hardwired and battery backup smoke detectors with interconnection. (The exact requirements vary by unit type.)
2. No visible electrical wires.
3. Hot and cold running water in kitchen and bathrooms and working toilets.
4. Sleeping areas in basement must have a second egress.
5. Operational heat. (Electric space heaters are not acceptable.)
6. Railings for all steps with more than 3 risers.
7. Carbon monoxide detectors on each level.
8. No other visible hazards.