Maryland tenants may lose vacancy control for protections

Tenant advocates have been pushing for new laws that would allow counties to implement "good cause" legislation. They believe that some housing providers are misusing their power by not renewing leases and unfairly evicting tenants. However, housing providers are against this idea, saying it makes it harder and more expensive to manage rental properties. Both sides have engaged in talks to find a compromise. Housing providers want clear rules about what behaviors can justify not renewing a lease. They suggest that repeated failure to pay rent, breaking safety codes, illegal activities, and disruptive behavior should be included. They also want to stop local areas from having both good cause laws and vacancy control at the same time. Vacancy control limits how much rent can be charged after a tenant leaves. This law does not affect current tenants but can create financial difficulties for housing providers if they cannot recover costs when a unit becomes vacant. For instance, when a tenant leaves, a landlord might face thousands of dollars in turnover costs for cleaning and repairs. Critics argue that imposing vacancy control can lead to fewer rental units available. They believe that solutions to housing affordability should focus on increasing housing supply rather than imposing controls on rents. In some areas where similar laws have been enacted, such as Montgomery County, the introduction of rent control has made investors wary, slowing down new housing development. Now, with a proposal on the table that offers eviction protections while addressing the concerns of both tenants and housing providers, some tenant advocates may oppose it. They are expressing concerns about affordability, but opponents say these arguments lack strong evidence. There is a call for the General Assembly to advance protections for renters without letting lobbying groups obstruct progress.