Baltimore City Council Seeks to Close Rental Licensing Loopholes

Proposed legislation aims to strengthen enforcement and protect tenants from landlord misconduct.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Baltimore City Council is working to close loopholes in a 2019 rental property law in order to better protect tenants from landlords who do not follow licensing rules. The proposed legislation would develop a tenant complaint process, require full disclosure of property owners, set up a rental property receivership system, and prohibit the use of immigration status or other forms of retaliation against tenants who report issues.

Why it matters

This effort by the Baltimore City Council highlights the ongoing challenges of ensuring rental properties are properly licensed and maintained, especially in cities with large numbers of unlicensed rental units. Strengthening enforcement and tenant protections could help address problems like lack of heat, hot water, and other code violations that impact vulnerable renters.

The details

The Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development estimates there are 45,800 unlicensed rental units in the city. Councilwoman Odette Ramos said the proposed legislation would close loopholes and strengthen enforcement, including requiring landlords to pay water bills and prohibiting threats of calling immigration authorities as retaliation against tenants who report issues.

  • The Baltimore City Council held a hearing on the proposed legislation on February 25, 2026.

The players

Baltimore City Council

The legislative body of the city of Baltimore, Maryland that is working to close loopholes in rental licensing rules.

Kylah Handy

A Baltimore resident who testified about experiencing issues with lack of heat and hot water in her rental properties, as well as rental licensing problems.

Odette Ramos

A Baltimore City Councilwoman who is sponsoring the legislation to close loopholes in the city's rental licensing laws.

Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development

The city agency that estimates there are 45,800 unlicensed rental units in Baltimore.

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What they’re saying

“I have five children. It's very hard. We're heating up water to wash up with or going to family members' houses to take showers, and my gas and electric bill was $600 last month from running the heaters.”

— Kylah Handy, Baltimore Resident (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“Less than half of our rental properties are actually licensed.”

— Odette Ramos, Baltimore City Councilwoman (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“If you are intentionally not getting a license and (are) an egregious violator, we're going to take your property to receivership and you should not be doing business in Baltimore. That's a really big deal.”

— Odette Ramos, Baltimore City Councilwoman (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“Folks can't be threatening the tenants that they are going to call (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) if they are reporting problems and any other threats in that regard.”

— Odette Ramos, Baltimore City Councilwoman (WBAL-TV 11 News)

What’s next

The Baltimore City Council is expected to vote on the proposed rental licensing legislation in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This effort by the Baltimore City Council underscores the ongoing challenges of ensuring rental properties are properly licensed and maintained, especially in cities with large numbers of unlicensed units. Strengthening enforcement and tenant protections could help address issues like lack of basic services that impact vulnerable renters.