Prince George's County Council - Reference No. CB-088-2022

• Reference No.: CB-088-2022
• Draft No.: 3
• 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
• Contact: Monica Best-James

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
11/9/2022	3	County Executive	signed
10/24/2022	2	County Council	public hearing held
10/24/2022	2	County Council	amended (1)	Pass
10/24/2022	2	County Council	enacted	Pass
9/27/2022	1	County Council	amended	Pass
9/27/2022	1	County Council	introduced
9/21/2022	1	Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee	Favorably recommended with amendments	Pass
9/13/2022	1	Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee	Held in Committee	Pass
9/6/2022	1	County Council	presented and referred

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...