Both Chapters 13 of the City Code and provisions of state law regulate most aspects of landlord-tenant relations in the City of Gaithersburg. In addition to providing information about the law, the Neighborhood Services Staff is charged with mediating landlord-tenant disputes relating to properties in the City. If staff is unable to mediate a dispute and there are reasonable grounds to believe a violation of law occurred, the City has a Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs, which can hear the case and render a judgement. Any decision of the Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs may be appealed to the Circuit Court of Maryland.
The following are examples of issues, which can be addressed by staff or the Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs:
- Disposition of security deposits
- Rent increases
- Maintenance responsibilities
- Unauthorized entry
- Unlawful lease provisions
- Lease termination
- Non payment of rent
- Lease violations
- Evictions
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