Maryland has a new Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs (OTLA), created by the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024. This new branch under the Department of Housing and Community Development helps tenants and landlords navigate their rights and responsibilities under federal and state renter laws.
Each year, the office releases a Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights. This document summarizes tenant rights and protections, and must be attached to leases by landlords. OTLA also manages Maryland’s Right of First Refusal law, which requires certain rental property owners to provide tenants the first chance to buy the property before the owner can sell to a third party.
The OTLA is also responsible for coordinating and staffing the Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force, analyzing eviction data from the District Court of Maryland, and producing an annual report on evictions.
For landlords, property managers, and Realtors, the OTLA can:
• Provide education on the Tenant Bill of Rights and Right of First Refusal requirements you must follow under state law
• Provide guidance to property owners on submitting required documentation when they sell a rental property subject to Right of First Refusal law
For tenants, the OTLA can help:
• Understand and exercise your rights if you are having a dispute with your landlord or lease that cannot be resolved directly
• Help you report discrimination by your landlord or another violation of federal, state, or local renter laws to the right enforcement agency
• Connect to a legal services agency that can provide legal advice or representation for an eviction case, voucher or subsidy termination, rent escrow case, or other dispute with your landlord or rental unit
• Connect to DHCD and HUD-approved housing counseling programs to improve your credit, start the process of becoming a homeowner, or support you in submitting a purchase offer to buy your rental unit under Right of First Refusal
• Connect to your local housing code enforcement office to report housing quality issues with your unit
Lauren Bunting is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.
