Montgomery County, MD Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- County Code § 29-30
- Enforcer
- Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs
- Max civil fine
- $500 initial, $750 repeat
- Lease must warrant
- habitability under Ch. 8, 22, 26, 59
- Exempt
- owner-occupied & relative-occupied units
Summary
County Code § 29-30 requires every landlord to keep rental housing safe, sanitary, and in good repair, with working utilities and heat.
Each landlord must reasonably provide for the maintenance of the health, safety, and welfare of all tenants and all individuals properly on the premises of rental housing. As part of this general obligation, each landlord must: (1) Comply with all applicable provisions of any federal, state, or county law or regulation governing the maintenance, construction, use, or appearance of the dwelling unit and common areas. (2) Keep 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: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Montgomery County Code § 29-30 makes habitability a landlord's direct legal duty, not just a lease term: keep the building, grounds, and appurtenances clean, sanitary, and safe, make repairs to restore the unit to its condition at move-in, and keep electrical, plumbing, and other supplied facilities in good working order. Landlords must also supply water, hot water, and adequate heat under Chapter 26, and maintain air conditioning under Section 26-7. Section 29-27(c) additionally forces every lease to incorporate Chapters 8, 22, 26, and 59 by reference as an express warranty of habitability and covenant to repair, and Section 29-27(m) requires the unit be delivered clean, habitable, sanitary, and free of rodents and vermin. The Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs (Article II) and the Department of Housing and Community Affairs enforce the chapter; violations can be brought before the Commission and, on order, escalate to injunctive relief.
Violations & Fines
Failure to comply with a Commission order or summons is a Class A violation: up to $1,000 criminal fine or 6 months jail, or a $500 civil fine ($750 for a repeat offense) under Code § 1-19; courts may also issue injunctions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a Montgomery County landlord keep in working order?
Does this apply inside Rockville or Gaithersburg?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland rental property rules overview
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