The City of College Park has enacted a new Early Lease Ordinance designed to protect tenants from aggressive lease renewal practices and create a fairer, more transparent rental process.

In some rental situations, tenants may feel pressured to decide very early whether they want to renew their lease—sometimes months before they have enough information to make that decision. The new ordinance establishes clearer timeframes for when property owners may provide current tenants with a lease renewal offer or a notice that their lease will not be renewed.

The goal is to give tenants more reasonable time to consider their housing options while still recognizing the operational needs of landlords and property managers.

College Park has a large and diverse rental community, including students, families, young professionals, and long-term residents. Clear and predictable leasing rules can help tenants make better-informed decisions and reduce unnecessary pressure during the renewal process.

The ordinance is intended to strike a balance between tenant housing stability and landlords’ need to plan for future occupancy, while making the leasing process more consistent and transparent across the City.

Residents, tenants, and property owners are encouraged to learn more about the new requirements at www.collegeparkmd.gov/elo.

Questions about the Early Lease Ordinance can also be sent to earlylease@collegeparkmd.gov.