Rent Reporting Laws in California and Maryland: What Housing Providers Need to Know

States are starting to require housing providers to give residents the option of having on-time rent payments reported to a consumer reporting agency. California's requirement has been in effect since January 1, 2025, and Maryland's took effect October 1, 2026. The two laws are closely modeled on each other, so operators already compliant in California will find much of Maryland's framework familiar. The key differences are in who is covered, how the offer is delivered, and a few tenant protections.

California: Civil Code § 1954.07

Under Civil Code § 1954.07, covered landlords must offer each tenant obligated on the lease the option to have positive rental payment information reported to at least one nationwide consumer reporting agency. For leases entered into on or after April 1, 2025, the offer is due at lease signing and at least once a year afterward. For leases in place on January 1, 2025, the first offer was due by April 1, 2025.

The law generally applies to buildings with 16 or more units. Smaller buildings are covered when the landlord owns more than one residential rental building and is a REIT, a corporation, or an LLC with at least one corporate member. Assisted housing developments are exempt.

Maryland: HB 315 (Chapter 772)

HB 315, enacted as Chapter 772, took effect October 1, 2026. Its rent reporting provisions (Real Property § 8-208.4) apply to landlords that own six or more residential rental units in Maryland. Covered landlords must include the reporting option in the written lease. For leases entered into on or after October 1, 2026, the offer is due at lease signing and at least once a year afterward. For leases entered into before that date, the first offer is due by January 1, 2027.

Maryland's Secretary of Housing and Community Development is directed to adopt regulations specifying the form of the offer, so operators should watch for further guidance.

What this means for operators

In order to comply with these laws, affected operators in California and Maryland should:

• Confirm which properties are covered. Maryland's six-unit, portfolio-wide threshold will capture many owners that fall outside California's building-based test (buildings with 16+ units).
• Add the reporting option to Maryland lease templates and send offers for existing Maryland leases before January 1, 2027.
• Use a delivery method that satisfies each state, and keep records of when and how each offer was sent.
• Set fees at or below actual cost, never above $10 per month, and keep fee collection separate from rent.
• Track opt-ins, opt-outs, and six-month lockout periods for each resident.

Entrata's Rent Reporting helps operators meet these requirements. It reports participating residents' positive, on-time payments to credit bureaus and lets residents manage their participation with minimal work for onsite teams. Paired with the notices, written elections, and fee practices each state requires, it gives operators a consistent, compliant way to offer residents a credit-building opportunity.

For more information about Entrata's approach to rent reporting requirements, please contact your Entrata representative.

This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult your own counsel about how these laws apply to your properties.