Ask to see the rental license

Whether you are looking to rent a basement apartment, a single-family home, a condo or an apartment in a multi-unit building in Takoma Park, there’s one request you should always make of the landlord. “May I please see your rental license?”

If a property owner or manager has a current rental housing license with the City of Takoma Park, you as the tenant are guaranteed certain protections. A current license means that the rental unit has been inspected recently to ensure that it is compliant with health and safety as well as property maintenance codes at both the city and county level. A current license means the property is governed by Takoma Park’s Rent Stabilization law.

A current license means the owners or managers are “landlord certified,” which shows they are knowledgeable about lease requirements, state law overseeing security deposits and tenant rights. A current license means a state-certified inspector has tested the property for lead levels and deemed the property safe.

If you want to check on a property’s license status before viewing it, or if you are a property owner wishing to license your rental property, please contact the Housing and Community Development Department at 301-891-7119 or housing@takomaparkmd.gov.

This article appeared in the October 2018 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.