April 3, 2026

Maryland House Bill 313 (the “Bill”) addresses how landlords handle rental applications and tenant screening at the pre-tenancy stage. A primary focus of the Bill is the prevention of discriminatory actions towards tenants based on court records. The Bill also places conditions on when application fees may be collected and limits certain adverse actions unless a landlord provides prior written notice. The Bill requires written disclosures before accepting an application or screening fee through a disclosure form created by the Department of Housing and Community Development. It also requires notice before taking certain adverse actions against a prospective tenant. These provisions relate to timing, disclosures, and applicant communications during intake.

For servicers and investors, these requirements may affect leasing timelines and intake practices for REO or rental portfolios. They may also require updates to vendor processes and compliance controls tied to application handling and tenant communications.

As a status, the Bill passed the House and is currently under consideration in the Senate as of March 24, 2026. It has not yet been enacted into law. For more information, CLICK HERE.

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If you have questions about this publication, please contact Adam Friedman, Ralph Vartolo or Michael DeRosa,
Friedman Vartolo LLP, 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160, Garden City, NY 11530, Phone: (212) 471-5100 | Fax: (212) 471-5150.