Maryland's New Rental Laws: Fair Chance, Subsidies, Cooling Rules

Maryland renters gained several new protections on Oct. 1, 2026, when three housing laws took effect. They limit how landlords can use criminal records in screening, bar certain denials for tenants with rental subsidies, require an option to report on-time rent to credit agencies, and set an air conditioning standard in many apartment buildings. The state housing department published a summary for landlords and property managers.

Fair Chance Housing Act (SB 937)

The Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act applies to landlords and managers who own or manage at least five residential units in the state. It does not cover owner-occupied rentals or providers that do not run criminal background checks. As a rule, a landlord has to extend a conditional offer first and only then look into an applicant's criminal record. Applicants who are asked must disclose certain specified convictions.

If a landlord withdraws an offer, the landlord must state the reason, and the applicant can request a reassessment and submit supporting documents. The law also bars advertising that applicants with criminal records will not be considered, and it prohibits requiring drug or alcohol tests of prospective tenants. Violations can bring a fine of up to $500 each. The housing department is developing optional model forms.

Subsidy protections and rent reporting (SB 335 / HB 315)

When an applicant pays rent with an income-based subsidy, a landlord generally cannot deny the application based on income, credit score or lack of one, or adverse credit history from before the subsidy. Landlords may still verify that the applicant's income covers the portion of rent the subsidy does not, and may consider references, prior lease violations, unpaid utilities, nuisance or property damage.

The same laws require landlords to offer tenants the option to have complete, on-time rent payments reported to consumer reporting agencies. The duty starts Oct. 1, 2026 for new leases, and landlords have until Jan. 1, 2027 to extend the offer to tenants whose leases were signed earlier. The offer must be made at least once a year, and any fee is capped at the lesser of the landlord's actual cost or $10 per month. The state notice did not list a penalty for these provisions.

Air conditioning (SB 12)

The air conditioning law covers apartment buildings with 10 or more units, excluding properties on the National Register of Historic Places. A unit is covered if it was built after June 1, 2026; has had air conditioning provided at any time since Jan. 1, 2025; was leased since then with a lease requiring it; or was renovated after Oct. 1, 2026 with replacement or substantial upgrades to its electrical or heating systems.

For covered units, the system must be able to cool the apartment to 80 degrees Fahrenheit or lower from June 1 through Sept. 30 each year. If the landlord controls the system, the unit must be kept at 80 degrees or lower during that period. The state notice did not list a penalty for this provision. Because the law took effect after this summer's cooling season ended, its first real test will come next June.

What this means for renters

• Applying with a record: Expect the conditional offer step. If an offer is pulled, ask for the reason in writing and request a reassessment.
• Using a voucher or other subsidy: A landlord should not reject you over income or credit alone, though other screening factors still apply.
• Building credit: Ask your landlord whether on-time rent can be reported. A paid reporting service costing no more than $10 a month may help some renters build a credit history, but compare that cost against the benefit first.
• Cooling: If you live in a covered building and your unit cannot reach 80 degrees next summer, report it in writing early.

These summaries describe the state's notice and are not legal advice. Whether a specific unit or landlord is covered depends on details like building size and lease dates, so Maryland tenants with a dispute should check with the Department of Housing and Community Development or a local legal aid group.