On March 31, Mayor Brandon Scott signed City Council Bill 21-0021 which does 2 things:
- Leases must now state that the “Landlord may not apply late fees to the rent until the tenant is more than 10 days past due with the rent.”
- If the tenant provides the landlord written notice that shows the day of the month in which the tenant’s government benefit payment is normally issued or mailed is after the first of the month, the landlord may not apply a late charge until the tenant has not paid the rent more than 10 days past the date the government benefit is normally issued.
While this law takes effect on April 30, please note that in Baltimore City, no late fees may be charged, and no rents may be increased on current tenants while the Governor’s State of Emergency is in effect, and for 90 days after the Governor’s State Emergency is lifted.
Please change your lease agreement forms and your systems for charging late fees accordingly.