Baltimore City Housing Code (Baltimore City Code, Article 13, Section 56)

Copy of Lease to Tenant

Every landlord who uses written leases must (a)  At the time of signing of the lease, give to tenant a copy of the lease signed by tenant and landlord; (b)  Include in each lease:  the name, residence address and telephone number or business address and telephone number of the owner of the property, or the name, residence address and telephone number or business address and telephone number of a person at least 18 years old who is customarily present in an office in the metropolitan Baltimore area and who has been designated by the property owner to be his agent as managing operator of the property.

The agent is responsible for maintaining and operating the dwelling unit in accordance with the provisions of the Housing Code of Baltimore City.  He must be authorized to receive court papers related to enforcement of laws governing the dwelling unit.

Any owner who is not customarily present in an office in the metropolitan Baltimore area must include in the lease the information required for a managing agent.

Within 10 days of a change in any information required by this law, the property owner must notify the tenant of the change by first class mail.

The provisions of this law do not apply to (a)  rental units in hotels, motels, inns, tourist homes, and rooming and boarding houses which are rented primarily to transient guests for periods of less than 14 days; (b)  rental units in a hospital, convent, monastery, extended medical care facility, asylum, non-profit home for the aged, or dormitory owned and operated by an institution of higher education; (c)  individual rental units which a government agency owns, operates or manages; (d)  rental units within the premises occupied by the owner as his residence.

Compliance

Primary responsibility for compliance with this law rests upon the property owner.

Penalty

A property owner who violates a provision of this law is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction is subject to a fine of up to $100 for each violation.

Tenant relief

A tenant may request an appropriate court to enjoin a violation of this law.

Last date legally reviewed: April, 2001 - BNI

Source: Baltimore Neighborhoods (BNI) - See main Landlord Tenant section for more information on BNI.

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