Q: I am having trouble with my landlord in pg county regarding being unlicensed for years without my knowledge since 2021
also she was increasing the rent during this period and the property is in need of major repairs. although she has applied for a new one this month. Do I have to pay rent once DPIE denies her new license?
A:
Because an online post can only offer general information you may want to talk to a local landlord/tenant attorney regarding your specific situation.
Generally speaking, a landlord in Maryland can increase rents at any lease renewal UNLESS there is a specific local rule that applies. The law in Prince George's County capping rent increases is new (2024) and does not apply to all landlords. It actually is mostly limited to corporate landlords (rentals operated by a corporation or LLC) or private individuals who operate many rentals. For example, Landlords who personally own 5 or less rental properties are exempt. It isn't clear from your post how many rental units your Landlord owns or whether they are rented personally or through an entity.
Many cities/towns in Prince George's County do not fall under DPIE, for example properties in Bowie, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, etc. and you'd need to check the rules that apply to the specific property. In some situations a property owner in the general area to register with DPIE may not need to register their rental at all, for example if the owner is in the military and rent out their home while deployed. An attorney would need more facts to analyze and you might want to contact a real estate attorney located in Prince George's County who may have a better handle on the nuances of the different town licensures in your county.
Sometimes conditions in a home are so poor that they render the home unlivable. For example, if a unit has no working heat or running water, the law may allow the tenant to avoid paying rent until the conditions are fixed. Maryland law has a type of case called "rent escrow" to address these types of extreme issues -- You can find out more through the Maryland Judiciary at https://www.courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/webinars/rentescrow
While not legal advice and not a substitute for talking with a local landlord/tenant attorney I hope this general information helps.
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