City is working to get rental inspections right

This letter to the editor is written on behalf of The Maryland Multi-Housing Association (MMHA), which represents owners and managers of almost 45,000 rental homes in Baltimore City, in response to Jack Reilly’s op-ed, “Baltimore rental inspections: good idea gone wrong” (Sept. 21). MMHA supports reasonable legislative and regulatory measures that will strengthen governmental and public confidence in the rental housing industry, which is why we advocated for the passage of Baltimore City’s ordinance expanding licensing and inspection requirements that currently exist for multifamily rental and rooming house dwellings to include non-owner-occupied (rental) one- and two-unit rental dwellings.

The Department of Housing and Community Development has been tasked by the City Council to make this ordinance fully operational in a very short time frame. The program is still in its infancy, and we all know that every new governmental program has its growing pains. To its credit, the department is working to balance the interests of residents, property owners, inspectors and regulators and has engaged with all of the stakeholders regarding this expansive program. As such, the department continues to make appropriate and sensible tweaks to ensure the program meets its objective. And, we agree — they have to get it right.

MMHA, along with the department, the courts and other organizations, is committed to supporting the program’s efficacy and to providing subject matter expertise, suggestions and educational programs to inform the public about the new laws and regulations. Our city and all of its stakeholders have a vested interest in the success of this new registration and inspection program and we look forward to its ultimate success.