Tenants Work Group - Montgomery County, MD

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Tenants Work Group

Tenants Work Group Report: March 2010
First County Survey of Tenants Shows Concern about Rent Increases,
Future Affordability (12-14-2009 Press Release | Survey Result )
Montgomery renters often priced out of homes, report says (from The Washington Post)
What rights should renters have? (from Baltimore Sun)
Kojo Nnambi Radio Show, WAMU, March 18, 2010

Challenges Facing Renters Today:

There is a growing sense of housing insecurity among many Montgomery County renters. Some believe that there is a lack of effective and fair relationships with their landlords and that rental units and properties do not sufficiently maintain quality rental community standards or meet applicable codes. The cost of renting in the County is rising and many renters cannot rely on secure affordable long term rental costs beyond the term of a lease forcing many to move. Some renters are concerned that existing government remedies are not sufficient.

The Tenants Work Group will address several of County Executive Isiah Leggett’s broad policy objectives: (11-12-2008 Press Release)

Affordable housing in an inclusive community
Safe and secure neighborhoods
Vital living for all our residents
Healthy and sustainable communities

Mission of the Tenants Work Group:

Accurately identify and quantify common and substantive problems confronting renters.
Research best practices and successful tenant advocacy models in the region and US
Catalogue resources already available to renters in the county
Review existing local and state codes with the intent of enhancing their effectiveness for protecting renters
Seek public input from a broad range of renters and other interested parties
Identify potential solutions to challenges and problems (regulation, legislation, communication and negotiation)

Composition of the Work Group:

11-15 members, representing the geographic and human diversity of the County including one representative from the County Council, one from the County Executive, the Director of Housing and Community Affairs, one from State Senator Jamie Raskin’s office, one representative from AOBA, and an active property manager and the rest comprised of renters or organizations which represent renters.

Duration of the work group:

Six to nine months.