For many of us, pets are not just animals - they're cherished family members. Our pets turn a house into a home, bringing us comfort and unconditional love, as we struggle with busy schedules and life’s challenges. Whether it’s a wagging tail greeting us at the door or a soft purr curled beside us as we unwind, pets bring joy and companionship into everyday life. That's why it's so important for prospective renters to know exactly what a landlord's pet policy entails—before bringing their fur baby into a new home.
Maryland recently passed a new law - House Bill 1152, the Pet Policy Transparency Act - that significantly benefits tenants who love their fur babies. Set to take effect October 1, 2025, this legislation mandates that landlords who own or manage five or more residential units must now provide clear, upfront written information about their pet policies on both their websites and in rental application forms.
Under this law, landlords must disclose:
- Any breed or weight restrictions
- All associated fees and fee structures (non‑refundable fees, refundable deposits, monthly pet rent)
- Limits on the number of pets allowed
- Vaccination requirements
- Whether liability insurance is required
- Any other pet‑related rules or obligations
This transparency empowers prospective renters to understand eligibility and costs before applying to rent a property within your real estate portfolio—especially crucial for families with multiple or larger pets who are often turned down due to limited pet policy requirements.
Additionally, existing laws already require landlords to include a link to a Department of Agriculture fact sheet about caring for pets during evictions in leases executed on or after November 1, 2023, when the landlord is aware a tenant has a pet. Together, these changes in legislation encourage better communication between tenants and landlords and protect pets from irresponsible pet owners.
For renters with pets, this legal shift offers several benefits. First, tenants won’t be surprised by any uncommunicated pet policies after move-in. This strengthens communication between a tenant and the landlord, ensuring there are no misunderstandings by pet-loving tenants.
Plus, sharing mandatory fees with your prospective tenants means they won’t have any budgetary surprises, mitigating the risk that they are overly optimistic about their budget.
Finally, this legislation protects pets. During the eviction process, pets often get left behind. If a tenant must disclose they have pets, a landlord can gain entry quickly to ensure pets aren’t left without food and water.
Landlords have a solid opportunity to attract a wider pool of responsible tenants by embracing pet policies openly. Studies show pet-friendly rentals often have lower vacancy rates. Therefore, landlords who embrace these new changes can optimize their search for a new tenant by including pets in the application process.
New laws that affect our real estate assets aren’t always favorable to landlords; but, looking at this one through a positive lens can help change your tenant search process where everyone wins--including beloved Fido.
If you have questions or would like to discuss property management services for your investment property, give us a call at 443.252.3385 or email us at info@bluedoor-pm.com today!
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