Prince George’s County Renters have been struggling with unsafe housing conditions, unexpected displacements, and skyrocketing rent increases. In response, the County Council presented CB-017-2025, a bill designed to protect tenants from being left without options when their homes are deemed unfit.
But what exactly does this bill do, and does it help control rising rent costs? Let’s break it down.
What Is CB-017-2025 About?
This bill focuses on two big issues:
Relocation Assistance – If a rental unit is condemned as unsafe, landlords must help displaced tenants financially.
Right to Return—Displaced tenants have first priority when moving back into their unit once it’s safe, and their rent can’t be drastically increased.
Simply put, if your landlord is forced to evict you because the home is unsafe, they can’t just kick you out and charge higher rent to the next tenant.
How Does It Help Displaced Tenants?
If a building is condemned and tenants must move, landlords must pay for relocation costs. The amount depends on whether the tenant is:
Permanently Displaced (More than 30 days): The landlord must return the security deposit, refund unused rent, and pay three months’ rent based on the unit’s market value.
Temporarily Displaced (Less than 30 days): The landlord must provide temporary housing and cover moving costs.
Once the unit is fixed and safe, tenants have the first right to return before the landlord can offer it to someone else.
Does This Bill Control Rent Increases?
Not directly—but it does limit rent hikes for returning tenants.
Here’s why that matters:
Landlords can’t use displacements as a loophole to raise rent unfairly.
Tenants who return to their unit must be offered a similar lease agreement, meaning their rent can’t suddenly skyrocket.
However, if a tenant chooses not to return, the landlord can raise the rent for new tenants.
So while this isn’t full vacancy control, it closes a major loophole landlords could have used to push out tenants and raise prices.
Why Does Prince George’s County Need This?
Tenant displacement isn’t new in Prince George’s County. Many renters have faced:
Neglectful landlords who let buildings fall apart.
Forced evictions due to unsafe living conditions.
Rapid rent increases that make it impossible to return after displacement.
With the county’s growing housing crisis, this bill is a step toward protecting renters from unfair treatment.
What Happens Next?
CB-017-2025 will next go to the Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee where the committee will debate and make edits to it before it is placed before the will be officially introduced. If passed, CB-017-2025 will go into effect 45 days after it becomes law. Tenant advocates say it’s a good first step, but more work is needed to address rent stabilization and stronger eviction protections.
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