County Council unanimously approves emergency rental relief
By Ana Faguy The Howard County Council unanimously passed emergency legislation on May 22 to prevent residential and commercial landlords from increasing rents during the coronavirus state of emergency and for up to three months after it ends.
The Rental Protection and Stability Act will take effect immediately when County Executive Calvin Ball signs it, which he did the next day, May 23.
The measure passed during an emergency legislative session held online. It was first discussed May 18 and then again four days later.
County Council Vice Chair Liz Walsh said the bill was pushed through to ensure that residents could benefit as soon as June 1 when rent is due.
“[The legislation] provides a small bit of relief to those already in a financial strain,” Walsh said.
“This is something we’re doing to hold the line.”
Walsh and two other council members — Deb Jung and Christiana Mercer Rigby — filed the bill April 23. Because it was filed as emergency legislation, it required a two-thirds vote and will be enacted as soon as Ball signs it.
“This much needed rental relief is critically important and builds upon the $800,000 the county has provided to support rental assistance during the economic disruption this pandemic has caused,” Ball said. “Now more than ever, we must invest in our future, and I look forward to signing this rental relief legislation as soon as possible.”
On May 8, Ball announced the allocation of $800,000 in county funding for rental assistance and eviction relief. There are approximately 23,600 rental units in Howard County, according to a 2018 Howard County Rental Survey.
The legislation also would prohibit landlords from decreasing promised services, like water or electricity, or from terminating existing leases, according to Walsh.
Amendments to the legislation passed on May 22 include limiting the scope of the bill to the current COVID-19 state of emergency, prohibiting late fees during the emergency and excluding situations where the tenant was in default before the state of emergency.
Last month, in neighboring Montgomery County, the County Council passed legislation that prevents landlords from increasing rent beyond the county’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ guidelines of 2.6% for residential tenants for a period of 180 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.
“[This legislation] is going to allow people to get back on their feet after the state of emergency is over,” Jung said during that day’s hearing.
The Rental Protection and Stability Act will take effect immediately when County Executive Calvin Ball signs it, which he did the next day, May 23.
The measure passed during an emergency legislative session held online. It was first discussed May 18 and then again four days later.
County Council Vice Chair Liz Walsh said the bill was pushed through to ensure that residents could benefit as soon as June 1 when rent is due.
“[The legislation] provides a small bit of relief to those already in a financial strain,” Walsh said.
“This is something we’re doing to hold the line.”
Walsh and two other council members — Deb Jung and Christiana Mercer Rigby — filed the bill April 23. Because it was filed as emergency legislation, it required a two-thirds vote and will be enacted as soon as Ball signs it.
“This much needed rental relief is critically important and builds upon the $800,000 the county has provided to support rental assistance during the economic disruption this pandemic has caused,” Ball said. “Now more than ever, we must invest in our future, and I look forward to signing this rental relief legislation as soon as possible.”
On May 8, Ball announced the allocation of $800,000 in county funding for rental assistance and eviction relief. There are approximately 23,600 rental units in Howard County, according to a 2018 Howard County Rental Survey.
The legislation also would prohibit landlords from decreasing promised services, like water or electricity, or from terminating existing leases, according to Walsh.
Amendments to the legislation passed on May 22 include limiting the scope of the bill to the current COVID-19 state of emergency, prohibiting late fees during the emergency and excluding situations where the tenant was in default before the state of emergency.
Last month, in neighboring Montgomery County, the County Council passed legislation that prevents landlords from increasing rent beyond the county’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ guidelines of 2.6% for residential tenants for a period of 180 days after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.
“[This legislation] is going to allow people to get back on their feet after the state of emergency is over,” Jung said during that day’s hearing.
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