Reference No. CB-088-2022    Draft No.
Type: Council Bill Status: Enacted
Meeting Body County Council
Meeting Date 10/24/2022
Introduced Date 9/27/2022 Public Hearing Date 10/24/2022 @ 10:00 AM
Effective date: 12/27/2022    
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING LANDLORD-TENANT REGULATIONS - SECURITY MEASURES AND SECURITY EQUIPMENT for the purpose of providing that the Landlord-Tenant Regulations require that any portion of the common areas in multi-family rental facility shall be kept reasonably safe for tenants; and providing that certain safety and security features provided by the landlord shall be properly installed, properly maintained and fully functional; providing for enforcement of the regulations; and generally relating to security measures and security equipment in the common areas of multifamily rental facility.
Proposers/Sponsors: Johnathan M. Medlock, Todd M. Turner, Rodney C. Streeter, Sydney J. Harrison, Dannielle M. Glaros, Calvin S. Hawkins, Jolene Ivey, Mel Franklin, Deni L. Taveras
Attachments: 1. B2022088, 2. CB-088-2022 AIS, 3. CB-088-2022 AIS, 4. CB-088-2022 Report, 5. CB-088-2022 PAFI, 6. CB-088-2022 ZHE Memo
Contact: Monica Best-James
Title
AN ACT CONCERNING LANDLORD-TENANT REGULATIONS - SECURITY MEASURES AND SECURITY EQUIPMENT for the purpose of providing that the Landlord-Tenant Regulations require that any portion of the common areas in multi-family rental facility shall be kept reasonably safe for tenants; and providing that certain safety and security features provided by the landlord shall be properly installed, properly maintained and fully functional; providing for enforcement of the regulations; and generally relating to security measures and security equipment in the common areas of multifamily rental facility.

Background
Constituents residing in multi-family rental facilities have expressed concerns for their safety as a result of unsafe conditions created when landlords fail to secure certain common areas controlled by the landlords. For example, unsecured garage entryways and parking lots, broken security gates, broken lighting, malfunctioning security cameras and broken locks on entry ways are among the primary complaints and concerns reported by tenants.
This bill will require landlords to keep common areas "in reasonably safe condition" to discourage criminal activity by residents and third parties. An enforcement element is also included to encourage compliance with this law and to promote the health, safety and welfare of County residents. This regulation is not intended to serve as a substitute for any other penalty authorized under federal law, state law, municipal law or civil action.
(The general rule of law in Maryland is that a landlord has a responsibility "to use reasonable diligence and ordinary care to keep the portion [of the premises] retained under his control in reasonably safe condition." Scott v. Watson, 278 Md. 160, 165 (1976). Numerous courts have ruled that this law applies to defects in the common areas and to criminal acts committed in the common areas that are under landlord's control, particularly when the landlord knew or should have known ab...

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