Prince George’s County Rental Rules: A Practical Guide for Tenants and Landlords

Prince George’s County has some of the most detailed local rental and housing rules in Maryland. These laws go beyond statewide protections and are designed to balance tenant stability with landlord responsibility. This guide explains, in plain language, the major requirements that apply to rental homes in the county, focusing on licensing, rent controls, security deposits, discrimination rules, and practical enforcement options for both parties.

1. How Prince George’s County Rental Rules Fit Within Maryland Law

Maryland has statewide landlord–tenant laws, but Prince George’s County adds local requirements that apply only within county borders. These local rules can significantly change how leases work, especially around rent increases and landlord licensing.

• State law sets general rules about leases, security deposits, repairs, and court procedures for evictions.
• County law adds rent stabilization, licensing requirements, and expanded fair housing protections beyond basic federal and state rules.
• Tenants and landlords must follow both state and county rules; neither level of law cancels the other unless there is a direct conflict.

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For anyone renting or managing property in Prince George’s County, understanding these local rules is essential to avoid violations, unexpected costs, or missed protections.

2. Rental Licensing: Who Needs a License and Why It Matters

Prince George’s County requires most rental properties to be formally licensed before a landlord can legally charge or collect rent. Licensing is a core enforcement tool: unlicensed operation can strip landlords of the right to collect rent and give tenants powerful defenses.

2.1 Which Properties Must Be Licensed?

Under county code, operating a single-family rental facility or a multifamily rental facility (generally buildings with three or more units) in Prince George’s County requires a rental license.

• Licenses are issued by the Director of the county department responsible for permitting and environmental resources.
• The legal owner of the property must apply using official county forms.
• Licensing typically involves inspections to verify habitability and compliance with housing codes.

2.2 Key Licensing Exemptions

Some situations are exempt from the licensing requirement, often where the rental relationship is closely tied to the owner’s family or primary residence.

• Renting to close relatives such as a parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild may be exempt.
• Owners on active duty in the armed forces, diplomatic corps, or foreign service who keep the property as their permanent residence may qualify for an exemption.
• Owners temporarily relocated for work or education who keep the property as their permanent residence, and have not leased it for two consecutive years, may also be exempt.

Outside these specific situations, landlords should assume a license is required and verify with county officials if they are unsure.

2.3 Consequences of Renting Without a License

Operating without a required license is more than a technical violation. For residential tenants, it can affect whether rent is legally owed and how unpaid rent can be collected.

• Courts in Maryland have held that tenants generally should not pay rent for periods when the landlord is unlicensed in Prince George’s County.
• A landlord may be barred from collecting unpaid rent for unlicensed months, even if they later obtain a license.
• Attempts to collect rent for an unlicensed period can violate the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act, triggering potential damages and attorney’s fees for tenants.

Prohibited collection actions for unlicensed periods can include sending late notices, charging late fees, making collection calls, reporting the debt to credit bureaus, or filing lawsuits for unpaid rent. Tenants who suspect their landlord is unlicensed should request proof of licensing and may check public county records.

3. Rent Stabilization: Permanent Rent Stabilization and Protection Act (PRSA)

Prince George’s County adopted the Permanent Rent Stabilization and Protection Act of 2024 (PRSA) to limit how fast rents can rise on many rental homes. This law is designed to prevent sudden, excessive rent increases while still allowing landlords to maintain and operate their properties.

3.1 Core Rent Increase Limits

For most regulated units, annual rent increases are capped based on inflation data from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI‑U).

• For units not in age‑restricted senior housing, the rent increase cannot exceed the lesser of:
  • CPI‑U + 3%; or
  • 6% annually.
• For units in age‑restricted senior housing, the increase cannot exceed the lesser of:
  • CPI‑U; or
  • 4.5% annually.

The county publishes an Annual Rent Increase Allowance table showing the maximum allowed increases for specific periods.

These percentages are updated over time as CPI‑U changes, so tenants and landlords must review current county publications for the latest figures.

3.2 Which Units Are Regulated?

PRSA does not apply to every rental unit in the county. Certain categories are exempt from rent stabilization.

• Units built and completed on or after January 1, 2000.
• Owner‑occupied group homes.
• Hotels and motels serving only transient (short‑term) residents.
• School dormitories.
• Licensed assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
• Accessory dwelling units.
• Certain condominiums and cooperative units that meet county criteria.

If a unit is exempt, the landlord is not bound by PRSA rent caps, although other laws (such as fair housing, contract, and notice rules) still apply.

3.3 Unit‑Based Regulation and Banked Increases

PRSA is unit‑based, meaning protections attach to the specific rental unit rather than the individual tenant.

• The rent cap applies to both lease renewals and new leases for the same regulated unit.
• The law covers fixed‑term leases and month‑to‑month tenancies that follow a fixed term.

PRSA also allows banked rent increases, which are lawful increases that were not used in previous years and may be carried forward, subject to strict rules. Tenants should carefully review any proposed rent adjustment to confirm it complies with cumulative limits and documentation requirements.

4. Security Deposits and Basic Monetary Protections

Security deposits in Prince George’s County are governed by Maryland law, but county guidance clarifies how much can be charged and how deposits relate to other tenant protections.

4.1 Maximum Security Deposit

For residential rentals, a landlord may not charge more than two months’ rent or $50, whichever is greater, as a security deposit per dwelling unit. This cap applies regardless of how many tenants occupy the unit.

• Charging more than the legal maximum can give tenants a right to recover excess amounts, potential penalties, or both under Maryland law.
• Deposits must be held and returned according to statewide rules on interest, timelines, and itemized deductions.

4.2 Relationship to Licensing and PRSA

Security deposits are separate from rent stabilization and licensing, but all three protections intersect:

• A landlord cannot use a deposit to retroactively collect rent for unlicensed periods if collection of that rent is legally barred.
• When rents are stabilized, security deposits should be calculated based on the lawful rent amount, not an illegal overcharge.
• Deposit disputes often arise when tenants move out; accurate documentation, photos, and move‑in checklists are crucial for both sides.

5. Fair Housing and Anti‑Discrimination Protections

Prince George’s County enforces robust fair housing rules through the Human Rights Commission, which expand on federal and Maryland protections against housing discrimination.

5.1 Protected Categories in Housing

Landlords, real estate agents, property managers, and others involved in housing transactions may not discriminate against individuals based on a wide range of protected characteristics.

Prohibited discrimination includes adverse actions based on:

• Race, color, religion, sex, national origin
• Age, marital status, occupation, political opinion, personal appearance
• Sexual orientation, gender identity
• Physical or mental disability
• Familial status (families with children)
• Immigration status or source of income (such as housing vouchers)

These protections apply to both renting and selling housing, and to related services such as property management and advertising.

5.2 Examples of Prohibited Conduct

County guidance lists many specific acts that count as unlawful housing discrimination.

• Refusing to rent, lease, sublease, sell, or transfer housing because of a protected characteristic.
• Making false statements that a unit is unavailable when it is actually available.
• Offering different lease terms or conditions (such as higher deposits or stricter rules) based solely on a protected characteristic.
• Using discriminatory advertising, such as ads that express preferences or exclusions based on protected traits.
• Discouraging someone from renting or buying by suggesting that certain groups are moving into the neighborhood.
• Discriminating against individuals with disabilities by refusing reasonable accommodations or reasonable modifications.
• Inquiring about or demanding proof of immigration or citizenship status in a discriminatory way connected to the sale or rental of housing.

There is a narrow allowance for certain discriminatory choices in owner‑occupied properties with very few rental units, but these situations are tightly defined and should be reviewed carefully.

5.3 Disability‑Related Accommodations and Modifications

People with disabilities have specific rights to reasonable accommodations in rules and policies, and to reasonable modifications of premises when needed for equal access. For example:

• Adjusting a “no‑pets” policy to allow a service animal or emotional support animal, where appropriate.
• Permitting installation of grab bars, ramps, or other accessibility features, subject to reasonable conditions.

Landlords may not refuse these changes solely because of disability and must engage in a good‑faith interactive process to determine what is reasonable.

6. Practical Steps for Tenants: Enforcing Your Rights

Knowing that protections exist is only the first step. Tenants in Prince George’s County have several practical options when they believe a landlord has violated licensing, rent stabilization, or anti‑discrimination rules.

6.1 Confirming Licensing and Rent Limits

• Check licensing: Tenants can ask their landlord for proof of a current rental license and may verify license status through county resources.
• Review PRSA caps: For regulated units, tenants should compare proposed rent increases to county‑published maximum allowances for the relevant year.
• Gather documentation: Keep copies of leases, notices, rent increase letters, and any communications about repairs or licensing.

6.2 Responding to Unlicensed Operation or Illegal Rent Collection

If a landlord is unlicensed, tenants may have defenses against paying rent for unlicensed periods and against debt collection attempts.

• Raise licensing issues early in any court case for nonpayment of rent.
• If a landlord or collector reports unlicensed‑period rent to credit bureaus, tenants can dispute the entry and monitor reports through authorized channels.
• Tenants may have a private right of action under the Maryland Consumer Debt Collection Act if a landlord attempts prohibited collection activities.

6.3 Addressing Discrimination

Tenants who experience potential discrimination can consult the Prince George’s County Human Rights Commission or other fair housing organizations.

• Document discriminatory statements, ads, emails, and any patterns of unequal treatment.
• File a complaint with the appropriate county agency for investigation.
• Seek legal advice about possible civil claims under county, state, and federal fair housing laws.

7. Practical Steps for Landlords: Staying Compliant

Landlords in Prince George’s County must navigate multiple layers of regulations. Proactive compliance can prevent costly disputes and enforcement actions.

• Secure and maintain licenses: Ensure every required rental property holds an active license before advertising or collecting rent.
• Track PRSA rules: Identify whether each unit is regulated or exempt, and apply the correct rent increase caps.
• Use lawful deposit amounts: Do not exceed the maximum allowed security deposit and follow return and interest rules.
• Train staff on fair housing: Property managers and leasing agents should be familiar with protected classes and prohibited practices.
• Document decisions: Maintain clear records showing that rental decisions are based on neutral criteria, such as credit, rental history, and income, applied uniformly.

8. Quick FAQ: Common Questions About Prince George’s County Rental Laws

FAQ 1: Can my landlord raise the rent by 15% on a regulated apartment?

For regulated units covered by PRSA, rent increases are generally limited to the lesser of CPI‑U + 3% or 6% per year, with lower caps for age‑restricted senior housing. A 15% increase would typically exceed these caps and may be unlawful unless the unit is exempt from PRSA.

FAQ 2: Do I owe rent if my landlord never obtained a rental license?

Courts have found that tenants in Prince George’s County generally do not owe rent for periods when the landlord was required to be licensed but was not. Landlords also may not legally collect that rent later or use debt collection tactics for those unlicensed months.

FAQ 3: Is it legal for a landlord to refuse to consider my housing voucher?

County rules treat source of income, including certain public benefits and housing vouchers, as a protected characteristic. Refusing to rent solely because a tenant uses a voucher may be a form of unlawful discrimination.

FAQ 4: Can a landlord ask about my immigration status before renting to me?

Prince George’s County prohibits discriminatory practices around immigration or citizenship status in housing transactions. Landlords may not use immigration‑related questions as a pretext to deny rental opportunities to protected groups.

FAQ 5: Where can I learn more about my rights as a tenant?

Official county websites provide tenant resources, including rent stabilization information, licensing databases, and housing assistance links. Tenants can also consult legal aid organizations and court self‑help materials for guidance.

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Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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