On Sunday, May 15th, Montgomery County’s cap on rent increases established by Council Bill #30-21E – Landlord-Tenant Relations – Restrictions During Emergencies – Extended Limitations Against Rent Increases and Late Fees expired.
Council Member Will Jawando introduced the law intended to assist struggling residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, capping rent increases throughout the county for 90 days, beginning on February 14, 2022. The law prohibited landlords from increasing rents beyond the county’s voluntary rent guidelines, set at .4% for 2022. Moreover, the law prevented landlords from charging fees for late rent.
In a quote reported by DCist, Council Member Jawando said the law would “help the many low-income families, senior citizens living on a fixed income and people with disabilities who have been deeply impacted by the pandemic and continue to need rental support.”
Montgomery had initially set a rent increase cap at the onset of the pandemic through the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act. Before 30-21E’s passage, the cap was set to expire 181 days after Governor Hogan’s Catastrophic Health Emergency declaration had been lifted. Montgomery residents experiencing difficulty paying rent can find resources here.
