Reminder to Landlords: Tenant Screening and Fair Housing Compliance in Montgomery County

Announcement Date: Monday, January 5, 2026

Reminder to Landlords: Tenant Screening and Fair Housing Compliance in Montgomery County

Landlords are reminded that a variety of services and applications are available to conduct background checks and screenings on prospective tenants. These tools can be helpful in evaluating applicants, but it is essential to use them in compliance with local laws.

Under Montgomery County Code Section 27-15A (Fair Criminal History and Credit Screening in Rental Housing), landlords may not conduct criminal background checks or credit screenings of an applicant until after a conditional offer to lease has been made. Once a prospective tenant expresses interest in renting a unit, landlords must refrain from initiating these types of screenings until a lease offer is extended.

This provision of the County’s fair housing law is designed to ensure fair and equitable access to housing and to prevent discrimination based on credit history or criminal background before a tenant has had a fair opportunity to be considered for housing.

Resources for Landlords:

1. Criminal History and Credit Screening Addendum: This addendum is required in all lease agreements and can be found here.
2. Copy of the Law: For a comprehensive understanding of the Montgomery County Code Section 27-15A, please refer to the full text here.

Office of Human Rights Fair Housing Webpage: For additional information and resources, please visit the Office of Human Rights Fair Housing here.