Compliance Update: Understanding Utility Provisions in the Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights

In addition to requiring certain tenant protections, Maryland's Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 also addressed utilities, including billing and invoice processing requirements. The legislation, which passed October 2024 and became effective July 1, 2025, introduces new requirements for landlords and reinforces tenant protections. For  information on the Act’s other provisions, see our previous blog post here. 

Utility Impact

In 2022, Maryland enacted The Tenant Protection Act of 2022, which required a landlord to provide specific information to prospective tenants when using Ratio Utility Billing (RUBS). At the beginning of 2024, House Bill 139, added gas and electric to this information requirements. 

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The Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act builds on previous law by adding key requirements for owners and landlords. These new rules apply to buildings with master meters and the process of invoicing tenants for utilities. They are: 

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• Lease Agreement

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Lease agreements must include the Maryland Tenant Bill of Rights. As it relates to utilities, the lease must explicitly state who is responsible for paying for heat, gas, electricity, and water. This requirement applies to landlords who manage five or more units, as a written lease with this information is legally required. This update will adjust code sections 8-208, 8-210, and 8-402

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• Utility Billing

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A property with one or more master meter(s) should follow the regulations and changes outlining how landlords can calculate and bill tenants for utilities. For buildings with six or more units, landlords can directly charge tenants for water, sewer, gas, or electricity, but a written lease must state this. This update will adjust code sections 8-205, 8-205.1, and 8-208

To bill a tenant for utilities, a landlord must provide one of the following:

• Provide a copy of the utility bill or; 
• A summary of the total cost from the previous year must be provided. 

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• Process Invoices

If a property would like to use electronic notifications, this must be agreed upon by the tenant’s written consent. This update will adjust code sections 8-205, 8-205.1, and 8-208.

We will continue to monitor these changes as they relate to Entrata and its customer base and encourage clients to reach out to their Entrata ResidentUtility representative with any questions. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice and is provided for informational purposes only. For specific legal questions, consultation with a qualified professional is recommended.