Understanding Maryland’s New Rent Reporting Law HB 315
A Guide for Maryland Landlords
- FrontLobby
- Published
Table of Contents
What Is Maryland HB 315?
Which Landlords Must Offer Rent Reporting?
Key Requirements and Deadlines for Landlords
A Clear Written Offer of Rent Reporting
The Tenant Opt-In and Opt-Out Process
Required Tenant Notification
Inform Your Current Tenants About Their Rent Reporting Options
Can Landlords Charge for Rent Reporting?
Compliance Steps for Landlords
Credit Building Benefits for Renters
Housing Subsidy Screening Changes Landlords Should Know
How to Offer Rent Reporting Through FrontLobby
How to Get Started
Frequently Asked Questions
Maryland’s new Rent Reporting law gives more Tenants the opportunity to have their on-time rent payments recognized in their credit history. It also creates requirements for written offers, Tenant consent, fees, and annual communication.
HB 315 took effect October 1, 2026. Landlords who own six or more residential rental units in Maryland must offer Tenants the option of positive Rent Reporting. For leases entered into before that date, the first offer must be made by January 1, 2027.
Here is what Maryland Landlords and Property Managers need to know.
What Is Maryland HB 315?
Maryland HB 315 was approved by Governor Wes Moore on May 26, 2026, as Chapter 772. Its companion bill, SB 335, was enacted as Chapter 773.
The legislation addresses two areas of rental housing: positive rental payment history reporting and screening protections for applicants receiving income-based housing subsidies.
The Rent Reporting requirements appear in Maryland Real Property § 8-208.4. They establish requirements for offering voluntary reporting of complete, timely rent payments to at least one consumer reporting agency.
For Tenants, this creates a way to have an existing monthly expense reflected in their credit history. For Landlords, offering Rent Reporting can provide a valuable benefit while supporting clear communication about rent payments.
Which Landlords Must Offer Rent Reporting?
The statewide requirement applies to Landlords who own six or more residential rental units in Maryland.
The wording focuses on the number of units owned in the state. Those units do not need to be in one apartment building. For example, a Landlord owning three duplexes in Maryland would meet the six-unit threshold.
A Landlord owning fewer than six units falls outside this particular statewide requirement. Local rules may also apply, so Landlords should review the requirements where their properties are located.
The Rent Reporting offer is not limited to Tenants receiving housing subsidies.
Property Managers should confirm coverage for each ownership entity they represent and identify who will handle offers, elections, and reporting.
Key Requirements and Deadlines for Landlords
Landlords subject to this requirement must include the positive Rent Reporting option in a written lease and offer it on the following schedule:
New leases: For leases entered into on or after October 1, 2026, make the offer at the time of the lease agreement.
Existing leases: For leases entered into before October 1, 2026, make the first offer no later than January 1, 2027.
Annual offers: Offer the option at least once annually thereafter.
Participation is optional for the Tenant. Providing an offer does not automatically enroll anyone.
The law defines positive rental payment history as complete and timely rent payments. Late or incomplete payments are excluded from the information covered by this required option.
HB 315 Requirements
Any Tenant fee must be no more than the lower of actual cost or $10 per month.
Offer reporting of complete, timely rent payments to at least one consumer reporting agency.
Provide the required written offer, disclosures, and annual offers.
Obtain a written, signed, dated election. Stop positive reporting on written request and apply the six-month waiting period.
FrontLobby Rent Reporting
Premium membership includes monthly Rent Reporting for 20 leases, with $1 per additional lease.
Automated monthly reporting to all four Credit Bureaus.
Lease resources, Tenant communication tools, and automated rent reminders support your process.
Tenant consent tools support participation. Retain the Maryland election and written cancellation records.
FrontLobby also offers unpaid rent and Debt Reporting. These services are separate from HB 315’s required positive reporting option.
A Clear Written Offer of Rent Reporting
The sample clauses below can support your lease documents. Replace all bracketed fields with accurate details and use them alongside Maryland’s official offer and election form, rather than as a substitute for it.
Landlords who own six or more residential rental units in Maryland must make the offer at lease signing for leases entered into on or after October 1, 2026. For earlier leases, the first offer is due by January 1, 2027. Offers must then be made at least annually. The written offer must include:
- A statement that participation is optional.
- The name of each consumer reporting agency receiving the information.
- The amount of any reporting fee.
- Instructions for submitting the written election.
- A statement that the Tenant may opt in at any time after the initial offer.
- Notice that the Tenant may stop reporting at any time, with a wait of at least six months before resuming.
- Instructions for opting out.
- A signature block for the Tenant to sign and date.
Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development has published an official Positive Rental Payment History Reporting Form, including an offer, an election form, and an opt-out form. An editable Word version is also available.
Landlords should include their receiving agencies, actual fee, and return instructions when preparing their offer. A brief lease clause alone does not cover every required disclosure.
FrontLobby’s application and lease clauses provide additional resources for explaining Rent Reporting. Maryland-specific documents should be checked against the state requirements and current agency guidance.
Example Lease Clause:
“As required by Maryland HB 315, you have the option to have your complete, timely rent payments reported to [name each consumer reporting agency] through [reporting provider]. Participation is optional and may help you build your credit history. The monthly fee is [amount], which will not exceed the lower of our actual cost or $10. To participate, submit the signed and dated election form to [return address or approved submission method]. You may elect reporting at any time after receiving the offer. You may stop positive reporting at any time by submitting a written request to [contact and delivery instructions]. After opting out, you must wait at least six months from the date of your written request before electing reporting again.”
- States that participation is optional and identifies the receiving agencies.
- Explains the fee and how to submit an election or cancellation.
- Clarifies the six-month waiting period after opting out.
The Tenant Opt-In and Opt-Out Process
A Tenant accepts the offer through a written, signed, and dated election. They may submit it at any time after receiving the offer.
Maryland’s published form explains that each participating adult must enroll individually. One Tenant’s decision does not enroll everyone on the lease.
A Tenant can later request in writing that positive reporting stop. The Landlord must comply. The Tenant must then wait at least six months from the date of the written request before electing reporting again.
Keep participation records current so staff know whose payments should be reported and when reporting must stop. Landlords must also provide additional copies of the election form when a Tenant requests them.
Example Lease Clause:
“To participate in positive Rent Reporting through FrontLobby under Maryland HB 315, complete, sign, and date the election form and return it to management using [return instructions]. Each participating adult must enroll individually. You may opt in at any time after receiving the offer. Your full, on-time rent payments will be reported to Equifax, TransUnion, Experian, and Landlord Credit Bureau through FrontLobby. To stop positive reporting, submit a written request to management using [contact and delivery instructions]. We will stop reporting your positive rental payment history upon your written request. You must wait at least six months from the date of that request before opting in again. Opting out does not by itself remove information previously reported.”
- Gives Tenants clear steps for joining or stopping positive reporting.
- Distinguishes each adult’s election and explains the waiting period.
Required Tenant Notification
HB 315 requires an offer at lease signing for leases entered into on or after October 1, 2026, and at least annually thereafter. For earlier leases, the first offer is due by January 1, 2027, followed by annual offers. A lease clause can explain this ongoing communication to Tenants.
Example Lease Clause:
“Under Maryland HB 315, management will provide you with a written offer of positive Rent Reporting through FrontLobby at the applicable initial deadline and at least once annually thereafter. The offer will explain the receiving Credit Bureaus, any fee, and how to opt in or stop reporting. Participation is optional. For a lease entered into before October 1, 2026, we will deliver the offer by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, a delivery service providing tracking and confirmation, or electronically if you have elected to receive Landlord notices electronically. If sent by first-class mail, we will include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for returning your election.”
- Explains when Tenants will receive the offer.
- Sets expectations for optional participation and permitted delivery methods.
This clause supports clear communication. Landlords must still deliver the required offer and retain the appropriate records.
Inform Your Current Tenants About Their Rent Reporting Options
For existing leases, January 1, 2027 is the first-offer deadline. Landlords should allow time to prepare documents, deliver them, and answer questions.
For leases entered into before October 1, 2026, the statute permits delivery by:
- First-class mail with a certificate of mailing.
- A delivery service providing tracking and confirmation.
- Electronic delivery if the Tenant has elected to receive Landlord notices electronically.
When using first-class mail, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for returning the written election.
Allow time to answer Tenant questions about the offer and participation process.
Can Landlords Charge for Rent Reporting?
A Landlord may charge a participating Tenant the lower of the actual cost of providing the service or $10 per month.
For example, if the Landlord’s actual cost is $4 per month, the fee cannot exceed $4. The $10 limit does not authorize charging $10 when the cost is lower.
The fee is not rent and cannot be credited toward satisfying rent or another lease obligation. Payment or nonpayment of the reporting fee cannot itself be reported to a consumer reporting agency.
If the fee remains unpaid for 30 days or more, the Landlord may stop reporting. The Tenant may not elect reporting again for at least six months after the date the fee first became due.
Compliance Steps for Landlords
A consistent process makes the program easier to manage.
- Confirm coverage. Review the number of Maryland rental units owned by each Landlord.
- Update lease documents. Include the reporting option and prepare the required written offer.
- Set participation procedures. Define how staff receive, record, and process elections and cancellations.
- Arrange reporting. Set up Rent Reporting through FrontLobby and document Tenant elections and cancellations.
- Keep accurate records. Retain offers, delivery evidence, signed elections, fee information, and payment history.
- Schedule annual offers. Assign responsibility and track deadlines.
- Train your team. Make sure staff can explain the program and respond consistently to Tenant questions.
Consult the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for forms and guidance.
Credit Building Benefits for Renters
Rent is often one of a Tenant’s largest monthly expenses. Reporting eligible on-time payments gives that payment history a chance to be recognized in the credit system.
For Renters with limited credit history, positive reporting may help establish a more complete credit profile using payments they already make. A stronger profile may support future financial opportunities.
Results depend on the Tenant’s credit history, the information reported, and the scoring model used. Rent Reporting does not guarantee a higher score or approval for a loan.
Learn more about how FrontLobby helps Tenants build credit with rent.
Housing Subsidy Screening Changes Landlords Should Know
HB 315 also creates separate protections for applicants receiving income-based housing subsidies.
Subject to federal-law exceptions, Landlords using financial information in rental applications may not refuse to rent to these applicants based on income, credit score or lack of a score, or specified adverse credit history arising during a confirmed period without the subsidy.
Landlords may verify the applicant’s ability to pay the uncovered portion of rent and utilities using a substantially equivalent income ratio to that used for nonsubsidized Tenants. They may also consider commercially reasonable, nondiscriminatory references and histories of lease violations, unpaid utilities, nuisance, or property damage.
Landlords may not require a public housing authority to verify the subsidy dates used to assess credit history. Landlords of income-restricted units may collect financial information when required as a condition of government or nonprofit funding.
These screening provisions have their own conditions and exceptions. The six-unit threshold belongs to the Rent Reporting section. Landlords should review their screening policies separately with Maryland counsel.
How to Offer Rent Reporting Through FrontLobby
FrontLobby provides tools for managing Lease Records, Tenant participation, and Rent Reporting to participating Credit Bureaus.
Maryland Landlords should confirm with FrontLobby how to set up the positive reporting option required by HB 315, including written elections, opt-outs, and exclusion of late or incomplete payments from that option. FrontLobby also provides Landlords with options to report unpaid rent, where permitted.
This gives Landlords access to a more complete reporting framework. On-time rent can help Tenants build their credit history, while unpaid rent does not simply disappear from the financial picture.
The reporting requirements and consent process may differ depending on the type of information being reported. Maryland Landlords should ensure their positive Rent Reporting process complies with HB 315 and that any unpaid rent or Debt Reporting is handled separately under applicable laws and FrontLobby’s legal framework.
How to Get Started
Prepare your Rent Reporting process now so existing Tenants receive their offer by January 1, 2027.
Create a FrontLobby account to explore Rent Reporting and connect with the team about your Maryland properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
The statewide requirement applies to Landlords owning six or more residential rental units in Maryland. Local requirements should also be checked.
No. Tenants choose whether to participate and must submit a written, signed, and dated election.
No. The statute requires reporting to at least one consumer reporting agency. The offer must identify every agency receiving the information.
No. It covers complete, timely rent payments and excludes late or incomplete payments. This does not necessarily mean a Landlord is limited to positive-only reporting. FrontLobby offers separate options for reporting unpaid rent, where permitted.
Yes, by written request. After voluntarily stopping, the Tenant must wait at least six months before electing reporting again.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this post is not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual legal counsel or consulting your local, state, federal or provincial tenancy laws.
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