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Read. Follow. Verify.Maryland bill requires Charles County to cap rent increases for senior citizens
Last action · February 12, 2026: Hearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m.
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What This Bill Would Do
Charles County must establish an annual based on the for rental units occupied by individuals aged 62 or older, taking effect October 1, 2026.
Landlords in Charles County face restrictions on how much they can raise rent for tenants who are at least 62 years old, tying maximum increases to regional inflation metrics.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Charles County landlords
Landlords are subject to an annual limit when raising rent on units occupied by tenants aged 62 or older.
Seniors aged 62 and older renting in Charles County
Tenants meeting the age threshold gain protection through county-established caps on annual rent increases.
Key Facts
- Charles County is required to establish an annual rent increase limit for rental units occupied by seniors.
- A 'senior' is defined under the bill as an individual who is at least 62 years old.
- The rent increase limit must be based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for the Washington Metropolitan Area or any successor index.
- Base rent is defined as the rent in effect under the current lease.
Show all 6 facts
- The new rent stabilization requirement applies only in Charles County.
- The Act takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies as a senior under this rent stabilization bill?
Which geographic area does this rent increase limit apply to?
What index is used to determine the rent increase cap?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently filed. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Feb 12, 2026SenateHearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m.
- Feb 6, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading Judicial Proceedings
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Local Rent Stabilization Mandate
The bill introduces mandatory local government rent increase limits targeted specifically at senior citizens within Charles County, tied directly to regional consumer price indices.
Connected Entities
Sources
mgaleg.maryland.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy55Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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