Rockville, MD Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Duty
- Maintain health, safety, welfare
- Includes
- Repairs, utilities, sanitation, heat, hot water
- Enforced by
- Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs
- Max damages
- $2,000 per affected unit
Summary
Rockville landlords must keep rental units, common areas and utilities clean, safe and in working order, with a duty to repair enforced by the City's Landlord-Tenant Commission.
(a) The landlord, at all times, shall reasonably provide for the maintenance of the health, safety and welfare of all tenants and of all individuals properly on the premises of a rental facility which obligations shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Complying with all application provisions of any Federal, State or City statute, code, regulation or ordinance governing the maintenance, construction, use or appearance of the rental facility; (2) Keeping all areas of the building, grounds, facilities and appurtenances in a clean, sanitary and safe condition...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code requires every Rockville landlord to reasonably provide for the health, safety and welfare of tenants, which includes complying with all applicable maintenance codes, keeping buildings and grounds clean and sanitary, making repairs needed to restore units to their condition at the start of tenancy, keeping electrical and plumbing systems in good working order, providing trash receptacles, and supplying water, hot water and adequate heat. Tenants who believe these duties are being violated can file a complaint with the City Manager, and the Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs can order repairs, award damages up to $2,000 per unit, or terminate the lease.
Violations & Fines
Failing to keep a rental unit safe, sanitary or in repair, or to supply required heat and hot water, can be found a 'defective tenancy': letting the Commission order repairs, damages, or lease termination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a Rockville landlord keep working in a rental unit?
What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockville
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Repairs & Habitability in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Montgomery County handle repairs & habitability.