Navigating the landscape of online property rentals in Baltimore City requires landlords to be well-versed in local regulations. For those looking to rent their property online, understanding and complying with Baltimore City’s property registration and rental licensing is not just advisable—it’s mandatory. This guide breaks down the essential steps to ensure your rental property is legally compliant and ready for the online market.
Understanding Baltimore City Property Registration
Baltimore City mandates that all non-owner-occupied properties must be registered annually. This includes single-family homes, duplexes, multi-family dwellings, vacant buildings, and even vacant lots. This registration is a yearly requirement, running from January to December, and involves a fee that must be paid each year to maintain registered status. Crucially, registration is required regardless of whether the property is currently rented, occupied, vacant, or generating income.
Each property requires its own separate registration, and a unique registration number is assigned to each. This ensures that each rental unit is individually accounted for within the city’s system.
Rental Licensing: A Must for Baltimore Landlords
Beyond basic property registration, if you plan to rent out your non-owner-occupied property in Baltimore City, you must also obtain a rental license. This license is an additional layer of compliance, ensuring that rental properties meet specific safety and housing standards. To secure a rental license, several conditions must be met:
- Complete Online Property Registration: The first step is to have your property registered online and ensure all owner contact information is up-to-date within the registration portal.
- Pass a Third-Party Inspection: Your property must undergo and pass an inspection conducted by a State-licensed inspector registered with Baltimore City. Alternatively, a passing Section 8 inspection report for each unit is also acceptable. For multi-family dwellings, there are specific guidelines on the number of units requiring inspection.
- Lead Certification Submission: Current lead certification information for each unit within the property must be submitted. This is a critical safety requirement in Baltimore City.
- Payment of Registration Fees: All outstanding property registration fees must be paid in full.
- No Open Code Violations: The property must be free of any open code violations to be eligible for a rental license.
Navigating Existing and New Rental Licenses
If you already possess a rental license, it remains valid until its expiration date. However, even with an existing license, you are still required to register your property in the new online portal. The good news is that you won’t need to resubmit inspection reports or re-verify lead certification information until your current license is up for renewal.
For new rental property registrations, it’s important to adhere to specific timelines for submitting inspection reports. For one and two-family dwellings, inspection reports must be submitted within 30 days of the inspection. For multi-family dwellings (3 or more units), the window is 90 days. Reports submitted outside these timeframes will not be accepted, and new inspections will be required. Section 8 inspection reports must be no older than one year at the time of submission. Initial rental licenses for new properties are typically issued for two years, with subsequent licenses valid for three years.
Key Registration Deadlines and Portal Functionality
It’s important to note that Baltimore City transitioned to a new online property registration portal. While the initial deadline for setting up new profiles and registrations in the new portal was August 31, 2022, this system remains the current platform for all property registration and rental licensing activities.
The online portal offers several key functionalities:
- Online Fee Payment: Property registration fees can be conveniently paid directly through the portal.
- Guest Access: You can add multiple individuals to access and view your property registration account, which can be helpful for property managers or co-owners.
- Document Uploads: Inspection reports and lead certification information can be directly attached and entered during the registration process.
By leveraging the online portal, Baltimore City aims to streamline the property registration and rental licensing process, making it more efficient for landlords to manage their compliance requirements, especially those who are active in the online rental market.
Baltimore City Property Registration Portal Link
Resources for Baltimore City Landlords
To assist landlords in navigating these requirements, Baltimore City provides a wealth of resources:
- Step-by-Step Instructions: Detailed instructions for using the new Property Registration Portal are available to guide you through the online process.
Step-by-Step Instruction Sheet - Short-Term Rental Information: If you are interested in short-term rentals, specific information and application instructions are available.
Short-Term Rentals in Baltimore City - Rental Property License and Registration Search: You can verify if a property is currently licensed and registered as a rental in Baltimore City through an online search tool.
Baltimore City Rental License Search - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): A comprehensive FAQ document addresses common queries related to property registration.
Property Registration FAQs - Lease Agreements and Addendums: Sample lease agreements, addendums regarding tenant rights, and resources in multiple languages are provided to ensure fair and legally sound rental practices.
Lease Addendum – Tenant’s Rights
Sample Lease (English)
Sample Lease (Spanish)
Sample Lease (Korean)
Sample Lease (Traditional Chinese) - Fair Housing Information: Resources on fair housing practices are available for housing professionals to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
Landlords Brochure
Landlords Brochure (Chinese)
Landlords Brochure (Traditional Chinese)
Landlords Brochure (Korean)
Landlords Brochure (Spanish) - State Licensed Home Inspectors List: Access the list of registered home inspectors in Baltimore City to schedule your required property inspections.
List of Registered Home Inspectors - Inspection Forms and Checklists: Download the necessary inspection forms and checklists to prepare for your rental license inspection.
Baltimore City Rental License Inspection Form
Addendum to Rental Licensing Checklist for Multifamily Properties
Inspection Checklist Guidance Document - Registration and Licensing Requirements Brochure: A brochure summarizing the key registration and licensing requirements.
Registration and Licensing Requirements Brochure - Baltimore City Code, Article 13 (Housing): Direct access to the relevant housing codes for detailed legal information.
Baltimore City Code, Article 13 - Sanitation Guidelines: Information on sanitation standards to ensure your rental property meets health and safety requirements.
Sanitation Guide for Posting in Units
Sanitation Brochure (English)
Sanitation Brochure (Spanish)
By utilizing these resources and adhering to the guidelines outlined, landlords can confidently navigate the property registration and rental licensing process in Baltimore City and successfully rent their properties online, ensuring full legal compliance and a smooth rental experience.
