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Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act 2026: What Baltimore City Landlords Need To Know Now
Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act took effect on January 1, 2026, and it changes how long rental licenses last, what happens when a property is sold, and how the City identifies high violation buildings for additional inspections.
This guide is written for real world landlords and property managers. It is not legal advice, but it is a practical roadmap so you can avoid surprises, keep your license active, and protect your timeline.
If you are looking for the inspection checklist itself, start here.
Quick answer
The Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act takes effect January 1, 2026 and does four big things.
First, it replaces the old tiered system and makes rental licenses a flat two year term.
Second, rental licenses can no longer be transferred, and a new owner must apply for a new rental license within 60 days of taking ownership or operating the property.
Third, the City must identify certain large buildings as priority dwellings, and selected high violation properties will be required to undergo priority inspections at least twice per year, spaced at least four months apart.
Fourth, posting and disclosure rules matter more than ever, including using the rental license number in ads and providing the license to tenants at lease and renewal.
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What the Renter's Safety Act is trying to fix
Baltimore City created the Act to focus enforcement on multifamily buildings that show repeated and recurring health and habitability issues. DHCD is required to identify properties that meet the criteria of a priority dwelling and then select the high violation properties that must undergo a series of priority inspections.
DHCD explains that priority dwelling criteria generally applies to rental dwellings with 20 or more units and looks at factors like violations that remain unabated, multiple violation notices, a high number of 311 calls related to health and habitability, and low HUD inspection scores. Backlink: Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act page
This matters because the priority inspection program can lead to stronger consequences, including denial, suspension, or revocation of a rental license based on findings.
The changes that matter most for landlords
1. Rental licenses are now a flat two year term
If you have been used to different license terms based on property type or history, that is gone. Under the Act, the tiered system is removed and replaced with a flat two year term for all rental licenses. Backlink: Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act page
What to do now:
- Build renewals into a two year calendar for every address.
- Schedule inspections early enough that you are not squeezed by the City’s inspection timing rules.
2. Licenses cannot be transferred when you sell a rental
This is a big one. If a rental property changes hands, the license does not move to the new owner. A person must apply for a new rental license within 60 days of assuming record ownership or operation of a rental dwelling. Backlink: Baltimore City Code section on transfer of license prohibited
What to do now:
- If you are buying a rental, plan for the license application as part of closing.
- If you are selling, be ready to answer buyer questions about the licensing timeline.
3. Priority inspections are now baked into the system
Priority inspections are not optional. The law requires at least two priority inspections each calendar year, at least four months apart, and the inspection window is between February and November. The City also sets the minimum number of priority dwellings that must receive priority inspections each year. Backlink: Baltimore City Code section on priority inspections
What to do now:
- If you own or manage 20 or more units in one building, assume you need a plan for unit access and resident communication.
- Track violations and abatement timelines like it is your job, because it is.
4. Posting and disclosure rules have real teeth
Baltimore City requires license visibility and sharing in multiple places, not just a file folder in your office.
The Code requires the license to be prominently displayed, and it also requires the license to be provided to tenants at key moments like when a lease is offered, executed, or renewed. Advertising materials for covered rentals must include the rental license number, and you cannot advertise with an expired, suspended, or revoked number. Backlink: Baltimore City Code section on posting license and license number
DHCD also states failure to post a rental license is a 250 dollar citation, and the Act includes public notice requirements in certain situations. Backlink: Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act page
What to do now:
- Add the license number to every listing template you use.
- Add a licensing section to your lease packet and renewal packet.
- Make sure the license is displayed where the Code requires for your property type.
Who should be paying the closest attention
Every landlord in Baltimore City
Baltimore City requires a currently effective rental license to rent or offer to rent covered dwellings. If you are collecting rent without a required license, you are in a risky spot fast. Backlink: Baltimore City Code section on license required
Owners and managers of larger multifamily buildings
Priority dwelling status generally focuses on larger properties, and the priority inspection process is built around inspecting a percentage of units in those buildings. Backlink: Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act page
Backlink: Baltimore City Code section on priority inspections
If you manage a large building, the most important thing is not arguing with the program. It is preventing the conditions that trigger enforcement in the first place.
A practical compliance checklist you can use this week
Licensing and advertising
- Confirm every rental address has an active license on file.
- Put the rental license number in every online and printed advertisement.
- Do not publish ads with an expired, suspended, or revoked license number.
Lease packet and tenant communication
- Provide the license at lease offer, execution, and renewal.
- Make sure your on site display location matches what the Code requires for your property type.
Inspection timing and documentation
- Do not schedule your licensing inspection too early. Baltimore City law says inspections used for licensing cannot be performed more than 90 days before you submit your application.
- Inspection reports used for licensing must be distributed to each resident at the time you submit your application. Baltimore City Code section on inspection prerequisites
If you want the exact checklist used for the licensing inspection, read: Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Checklist.
Avoiding priority dwelling risk
- Fix violations quickly and document abatement.
- Treat resident health and habitability 311 complaints like a leading indicator, not background noise.
- If you are in assisted housing, keep inspection outcomes and documentation tight, because poor inspection scores are part of the priority dwelling criteria. Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act page
What to expect if your building becomes a priority dwelling
If DHCD identifies your property as a priority dwelling, the City must notify the record owner and any managing operator. Priority inspections must occur at least twice per year and notice of inspections must be posted by the owner or manager. Backlink: Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act page
Backlink: Baltimore City Code section on priority inspections
DHCD also states that owners and managers of selected high violation properties will be required to attend individual meetings at DHCD headquarters.
That means your best strategy is to be ready before you ever receive that notice:
- Keep a unit access plan.
- Keep a repairs log with dates and invoices.
Keep resident notices consistent and documented.
FAQs
When did the Strengthening Renters’ Safety Act take effect?
DHCD states the Act takes effect on January 1, 2026.
How long is a Baltimore City rental license active now?
DHCD states the Act replaces the tiered system with a flat two year term for all rental licenses.
Can I transfer a rental license when I sell my property?
No. Baltimore City Code prohibits transferring a rental license and requires a new license application within 60 days of taking ownership or operating the property.
Do I really have to put the rental license number in my ads?
Yes. Baltimore City Code requires advertising materials for covered rentals to include the rental license number, and it restricts use of expired, suspended, or revoked numbers.
How often can priority inspections happen?
The law requires at least two priority inspections per year, at least four months apart, and between February and November.
Do I have to give tenants the inspection report?
Baltimore City Code requires inspection reports used for licensing to be distributed to each resident at the time the application is submitted.
What is the penalty for failing to post a rental license?
DHCD states failure to post a rental license is a 250 dollar citation.
Need help staying inspection ready in Baltimore City
If you want to keep your rental licensing process smooth, it starts with a clean inspection, clean documentation, and good timing.
- Review the checklist: Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Checklist
- If you are renewing soon, read this next: Baltimore City rental licensing guide
- Schedule your inspection with a pro who understands the City process: Schedule an inspection
We serve Baltimore City and surrounding areas, and we help landlords and managers keep the process straightforward.