New Rockville Landlord-Tenant Code Adopted
On Monday, July 6, the Rockville Mayor and Council adopted the revised Rental Facilities and Landlord-Tenant Relations Code, which will be effective Jan. 1, 2027.
The revised ordinance follows over a year of research on national best practices, stakeholder engagement, and Mayor and Council work sessions. In alignment with the policy direction established by the Mayor and Council, the code revisions improve clarity, increase transparency, and provide more opportunities for tenant agency and housing stability, making Rockville a national leader in landlord-tenant policy.
Notable new policies include:
Restrictions on asking about eviction history, charging tenants court costs and legal fees, and using algorithmic rent pricing systems.
New requirements for landlords to report data, provide two-year lease term options, adhere to lease review and provision timelines, allow non-electronic payment methods, provide relocation assistance, and allow tenant organizations to use meeting rooms free of charge.
Increased transparency around fees and guarantor requirements.
More options for early lease termination.
Creation of a repair-and-deduct option.
Changes to how leases and rent increase information are provided to the city.
In the coming months, staff will create educational resources so that both landlords and tenants fully understand their rights and responsibilities, as well as the services provided by the city. If you have a question about the revised code, please contact the City of Rockville Landlord-Tenant Affairs Program at latinfo@rockvillemd.gov.
