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Despite Senate’s Failure to Move Good Cause Eviction, Renters Celebrate Major Housing Justice Victories

Despite Senate’s Failure to Move Good Cause Eviction, Renters Celebrate Major Housing Justice Victories

  • RUM 

The 2024 General Assembly closed with the passage of critical bills that advance housing justice: The Tenant Safety Act, HB 1117/SB 946, will empower tenants to hold negligent landlords accountable to fix conditions that threaten the life, health, or safety of their families. The act will allow tenants in the same building to join together in a suit; set the expectation that the Court will reduce the rent if the landlord is negligent, and level the playing field with landlords by providing greater access to legal counsel for renters.

Housing Justice 2023: Press Kit

  • RUM 

Find everything you need to know about Renters United Maryland’s legislative priorities for the 2023 Maryland General Assembly session.

2023 Legislative Priorities

2023 Legislative Priorities

  • RUM 

As the Maryland General Assembly begins its 2023 session, 108,000 Maryland households are behind on rent amid rent gouging and economic uncertainty. Renters United is working with legislators and a new governor on 4 priorities for Maryland renters. ASSISTANCE Sustain emergency rental assistance STABILITY Enable local “just cause” eviction protection SAFETY Create a legal tool for tenants to win repairs together… Read More »2023 Legislative Priorities

Governor Hogan vetoes housing and neighborhood stability bills

Governor Hogan vetoes housing and neighborhood stability bills

  • RUM 

Tens of thousands of Marylanders and their families are struggling to pay the rent and avoid eviction in the wake of COVID-19. Others are dealing with landlords who refuse to make repairs yet demand higher and higher rents.  Governor Hogan, however, turned his back on these families by vetoing SB 384, which would have temporarily paused the eviction process if a tenant had a rental assistance application pending, and SB 563, which would have stopped illegally operating landlord’s from using the court’s eviction process to turn a profit. 

Recap: Housing Justice 2022

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The legislative session ended last night, and we were on the edge of our seats until about five minutes to midnight. Here’s the rundown of everything Renters United Maryland worked on – not just our 5 priority bills (3 of which passed) but also the many bills that RUM members supported throughout session with testimony, Zoom… Read More »Recap: Housing Justice 2022

Maryland Matters: Fair Housing Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Allow Local Just-Cause Eviction Laws

Maryland Matters: Fair Housing Advocates Urge Lawmakers to Allow Local Just-Cause Eviction Laws

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“We are all in constant threat of being told to leave our homes with just 60 days notice,” Bouie said at a Tuesday press conference. “As month-to-month renters, that leaves us wondering each month: Will such a notice arrive on our door?”

Letting local governments require landlords to provide a reason when they choose not to renew a tenant’s lease is a top priority for Renters United Maryland, a fair housing coalition that is asking state lawmakers to allow local governments to enact “just cause” eviction laws in their jurisdictions.

WYPR: State lawmakers push forward another housing justice package

WYPR: State lawmakers push forward another housing justice package

  • RUM 

Del. Jheanelle Wilkins, a Montgomery County Democrat, is sponsoring a bill that would require landlords to provide “just cause” if they decide to refuse a lease renewal to a tenant.

Renter advocates have argued that such legislation would close a loophole landlords have used to evict tenants behind on rent.

“It’s absolutely critical that we ensure that renter protections are passed this year,” Wilkins said.