Per the City of Gaithersburg:
Emergency legislation enacted to limit residential rent increases due to the impact of COVID-19.
At their meeting on Monday, January 3, 2022, the Mayor & City Council conducted a public hearing and then enacted emergency legislation to limit residential rent increases due to the impact of COVID-19. By a vote of 3 to 2, the elected officials amended Chapter 13 of the City Code, “Landlord-Tenant Relations,” to prohibit residential rent increases in excess of Montgomery County’s Voluntary Rent Guideline & prohibit notices of residential rent increase in excess of Montgomery County’s Voluntary Rent Guideline prior to May 15, 2022.
The Ordinance also requires a landlord to notify a tenant to disregard any notice of rent increase that was in excess of Montgomery County’s Voluntary Rent Guideline to the extent that the notice takes effect prior to May 15, 2022. Gaithersburg’s Ordinance takes effect immediately.
“As many people continue to face financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to provide some additional relief for our residents who may be facing immediate housing challenges,” said Mayor Jud Ashman. “Though this legislation is only temporary in effect, with all of our other rental and financial assistance initiatives, we will continue to work with our residents and our landlords to make sure that everyone in our community remains safely housed during this crisis, and beyond.”
Violations of the Ordinance will be considered a municipal infraction. The Ordinance will expire and have no further force or effect after May 15, 2022.
For more information, please visit the Neighborhood Services web page or contact the Neighborhood Services Division of the Planning & Code Administration at [email protected], 301-258-6340.
For housing assistance and other community service resources, contact the Community Services Division of the Department of Community & Public Relations at [email protected], 301-258-6395.
Resource information is also available on the Emergency Assistance & Community Support web page. The page is updated regularly.