There are several bills before the Maryland Legislature that would substantially weaken protection for children who have been exposed to lead paint, and offer loopholes for negligent property owners who ignore the law — please lend your voice to the many who oppose these bills! Every year in Maryland there are 3200 children poisoned by […]
The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University recently issued a report on investor activity in Atlanta. Not surprisingly, the study found that investors were buying up property in neighborhoods where poverty and vacancy rates were high, and median home values were low. A group of Montgomery County legislators have introduced a bill that […]
From the Community Law Center: Owners of abandoned properties in Baltimore City should start bringing their properties up to code, or the local community association might sue them to do just that. Today, the revised law known as the Community Bill of Rights, goes into effect. This amended legislation makes it easier for community organizations […]
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee understands the need to stabilize his city’s middle class through housing. The Cleveland Fed says we need to change housing finance at the policy level, in order to slow speculative real estate transactions — hey Cleveland, we agree! Delegate Maggie McIntosh (D, District 43) says we shouldn’t reward landlords who […]
Bill Information: House Bill 977 would require that an activity that disturbs more than 3 square feet of painted surface in a specified building, the property owner would have to pass a test for lead-contaminated dust. It also authorizes MDE to administer a renovation, repair, and painting program consistent with federal regulations. In addition, MDE […]
Bill Information: House Bill 1247 would require specified stores to charge a 5-cent fee on plastic carryout bags Why This Is Important: Many states and municipalities have either outright banned the use of plastic bags, or currently charge a fee for each bag a customer uses. This can result in less litter, a cleaner Chesapeake […]
Bill Information: House Bill 472/Senate Bill 873 would establish a Lead Poisoning Compensation Fund, which would require Maryland rental property owners to pay into the fund. The fees could range from $50 to $500 per unit. The Fund would be required to cover property owners for claims arising from lead paint lawsuits. Why This Is […]
Bill Information: Senate Bill 753 would require the owner of blighted vacant property to submit a remediation plan to the local government, complete the work within a specified timeframe, or list the property with a licensed real estate agent for a price not to exceed a specified amount. This bill would also prohibit the owner […]
Bill Information: House Bill 168 would prohibit Maryland landlords from discriminating against potential tenants, based on the source of their income. Why This Is Important: Allowing low-income residents to move into areas with better transportation and/or job opportunities (such as Baltimore County, as one example) opens doors for financial security. Also, it prohibits landlords from […]
Bill Information: SB 123 would require banks to provide SDAT with a court order ratifying the sale of real property within 30 days of the sale, effectively removing all tax credits applied to a former owner-occupied home. Why This Is Important: Municipalities can ill afford to allow banks to receive homestead tax credits and other […]