A Better Howard County Begins at Home

A Better Howard County Begins at Home

Starting first with a Howard County Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs

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Not only do renters in Howard County face high rent and unpredictable fees, they also are often left out of conversations about how to make the housing system more responsive to their needs. Further, renters don’t know their rights and finding help as a renter is very difficult. Often, housing quality at many apartment complexes is poor and unhealthy and renters can face discrimination and landlord harassment.

Likewise, many landlords and property managers don’t understand their obligations or local housing laws and may not receive adequate training and resources. We need to provide landlords the tools, training and incentives to help them keep renters in stable, quality housing.

That’s why the Howard County Housing Alliance is advocating for a one-stop shop to support renters and landlords in our community. We need an Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs here in Howard County.

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We need your voice! Add your name to our sign-on letter to tell our new Howard County Administration and County Council to establish an Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs. Because a better Howard County begins at home.

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What Does Renting in Howard County Look Like?

  • 29.6% of Howard County households are renters and nearly half have unaffordable housing costs.
  • Howard County renters pay among the highest rents in Maryland. Typical gross rent, including utilities, is over $2,100/month.
  • The hourly wage necessary to afford fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Howard County is $35.71, more than twice Howard County’s minimum wage.
  • Hispanic and Black county residents are twice as likely to be renters compared to White residents.
  • There is no central place for renters to file complaints against landlords for a lack of repairs and responsiveness, dealing with pests, junk fees, housing discrimination or other issues. Renters currently may need to contact up to 5 or more offices to find help for a particular housing issue.

What Should This Office Do?

  • Collect data to ensure greater transparency for renters, landlords and County government
  • Increase accountability for landlords and property managers so disputes are resolved promptly and responsively.
    • Elevate the profiles of good and accountable landlords and property managers who provide clear data and mediate complaints promptly.
  • Strengthen and expand enforcement of renter protections.
  • Provide more resources and education to both tenants and landlords to help them know their rights and preserve housing stability.

There is a lot of work to do to make housing more affordable for people of all incomes and to make our system work better for everyone, but establishing an Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs is an important first step.

The Howard County Housing Alliance

The Howard County Housing Alliance is building a movement to ensure all people in Howard County live in quality, stable homes they can afford. We are a diverse group of organizations and individuals working to advance housing that contributes to health, economic stability and racial equity. We want to build a stronger Howard County where all people can live, work, learn and play in vibrant communities full of opportunity.