Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Rental housing license: required before leasing; renew every 2 years ($93.50 per unit from July 1, 2026) Verified
Deadline: Every 2 years from the license application date
Get a rental housing license before entering into a lease. Licenses last two years and cost $93.50 per dwelling unit (fee schedule effective July 1, 2026, including the technology fee). Restoring an expired license costs $25 plus the license fee.
Who it covers: Howard County Code § 14.901; Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits. Leases must say the tenant may end the lease without penalty if the license lapses for 15 or more consecutive days.
"The owner of a residential unit must have a rental housing license before entering into a lease with a tenant." howardcountymd.gov
"A rental housing license is valid for a period of two years" howardcountymd.gov
"Late fee for restoration of an expired license after the billing period ... $25 plus the license fee" howardcountymd.gov
Notes: Howard County landlord-tenant guide (Oct 2024) and FY27 fee schedule (Council Resolution 83-2026).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Inspection must be passed before a license is issued; applications expire after 6 months without an approved inspection Verified
Deadline: Before the license is issued; the application expires 6 months after the application date if no inspection is approved
Each rental housing license application needs an inspection conducted and approved before the license is issued. If no inspection is approved within 6 months of the application date, the application expires.
"A rental license application must be on file with the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits, all necessary fees paid, and an inspection conducted and approved, before the issuance of the Rental Housing License." howardcountymd.gov
"Applications expire 6 months after the date of application if no inspection has been conducted and approved." howardcountymd.gov
Notes: Howard County rental housing license application form.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Give the tenant a copy of the license (or the application) and the license itself at least 7 days before the lease begins Verified
Deadline: At least 7 days before the lease starts
Give the tenant a copy of the rental housing license, or a copy of the license application if the license has not arrived yet, and then the license itself no later than seven days before the lease term begins.
Who it covers: If the owner does not give the notice, the tenant may end the lease without penalty at any time before the license is obtained (HCC § 17.1008(C)).
"The landlord must provide a copy of the license to the tenant, or if the landlord has not yet received the license, provide a copy of the application for the license to the tenant and provide a copy of the license to the tenant not later than seven days before the lease terms begins (HCC § 17.1008)." howardcountymd.gov
Notes: Medium: Howard County Code § 17.1008 as summarized in the county landlord-tenant guide; the code section itself is not snapshotted, so the wording is the county's summary.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction