Howard County - Landlord Rights & Responsibilities

County Executive County Council

Landlord Rights & Responsibilities

Screen the applicant family to be sure that they will be good renters. Take care to review the applicants’ rental history, credit history, and criminal history.

Follow fair housing and equal opportunity requirements and laws.

Abide by your obligations under the lease to the family and your contractual obligations to HC, including providing certain information to HCH in a timely manner.

Maintain the unit up to the standards of the Howard County Housing Code and HUDs REAC standards.

Collect from the tenant any security deposit, the tenant’s portion of the rent, and any charge to repair damage that the tenant caused.

Follow the law on security deposits, including interest payments and refunds when the tenant moves out.

Enforce the tenant's responsibilities under the lease.

Notify HCH if the tenant violates the lease, or if there is any other problem with the tenant.

Pay for utilities and services for which you are responsible under the lease.

Lanlord Resources: