 As an investment property owner in Maryland, the state and county obligate you to certain licenses and certificates. The specific requirements vary by the type of property, from county to county, and even municipality. Generally licenses and certificates fall into the following categories: Rental Licenses and Lead Inspection Certificates.
Rental Licenses Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Annapolis City, and many municipalities in Prince George County require rental licenses. Anne Arundel County generally does not unless you have a multi-unit property, but Annapolis does for all property types. Not all the governing bodies require inspections before issuing a license (Baltimore City does not). Renewal terms generally vary from annually to three years, and the fees are all over the map. It’s a bit confusing so it’s best to check with your property manager who will guide you in applying and obtaining the license and inspections if required. For more information contact the following: Baltimore City http://www.baltimorehousing.org/property_registration Baltimore County http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/agencies/permits/rentalregistration/ Anne Arundel County http://www.aacounty.org/Fire/FireMarshal/Inspections/MultipleDwelling.cfm#.UfRqQt3wJX8 Annapolis City http://www.annapolis.gov/government/forms-permits-and-licenses Howard County http://www.howardcountymd.gov/DisplayPrimary.aspx?id=708 Bowie City (PG County) http://www.cityofbowie.org/index.aspx?nid=625 Lead Inspection Certificates Leaded oil-based paint, commonly called lead-based paint or lead paint, has been used for centuries. If you have ever painted with it, it goes on like no latex or oil based paint today. Also it was particularly well suited for out-door use, especially near the water. Unfortunately inhaling the dust from lead paint or ingesting the flakes of deteriorating peeling paint creates severe disabling health problems. Creating housing safe from lead paints that were commonly used in the early part of the 20th Century is a big deal in Maryland. The key word here is SAFE. There is nothing wrong with lead paint if it is contained, and kept from chipping, pealing, or abrasion. Today the requirement for inspection and certification only applies to rental property. It’s a shame because there are many private homes in which lead paint is a danger and the residents are unaware. If you own a rental that was built before 1950 an inspection by a licensed inspector is required. Why 1950? Because by that time, the post-war introduction of latex paint had begun impacting the demand of lead paint. This 1950 requirement will change in 2015 to include any home built before 1978. Why 1978? Because that is the year lead paint production was stopped in the United States. In either case, certification must be maintained and the property re-inspected with every new tenant, and the certification must be registered annually. The only exception to this rule is if the property has been determined to be lead-free. Rental property built after 1978 do not require inspection. Contact the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) for more information at this link: http://www.mde.state.md.us/programs/Land/LeadPoisoningPrevention/RentalPropertyOwners/Pages/Programs/LandPrograms/LeadCoordination/rentalOwners/index.aspx 77th Meridian, LLC manages rental property in Anne Arundel and surrounding counties for a monthly fee of 7.7% of collected rent. Leaving the area? Leaving your home? Leave it to a professional
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