Showing ordinances that apply to Derwood, MD
Derwood is an unincorporated community (population 2,535) in Montgomery County, Maryland. Because Derwood is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Montgomery County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The rent control rules below are the ones that govern your area.
DHCA publishes Voluntary Rent Guidelines annually (up to 5.4% for 2024). Exceeding the guideline requires 90 days notice instead of 30. Chapter 29 governs.
Montgomery County Code Chapter 29 (Landlord-Tenant Relations) establishes the framework for the Voluntary Rent Guidelines published annually by the DHCA. For the 2024 guideline year, the recommended maximum rent increase is 5.4%, based on the Consumer Price Index for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan area. While the guidelines are technically voluntary, they carry practical weight because landlords who exceed them must provide 90 days written notice (versus 30 days for increases within the guideline) and may face additional scrutiny from DHCA. The county does not have mandatory rent control for most units. However, properties receiving certain county tax credits or subsidies are bound by affordability restrictions. The DHCA Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs mediates disputes over excessive rent increases. Landlords must provide written notice of any rent increase at least 30 days before it takes effect (90 days if exceeding the guideline). The guidelines do not apply to single-family homes or to new construction for the first 5 years after certificate of occupancy.
Landlords who raise rent above the voluntary guideline without 90 days notice may face DHCA complaint proceedings. Tenants may file complaints with the Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs. Insufficient notice of a rent increase can result in the increase being delayed.
See how Derwood's rent control rules stack up against other locations.
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