Prince George's County Enacts Permanent Rent Stabilization Law

The Permanent Rent Stabilization and Protection Act of 2024 establishes new limits on annual rent increases for most regulated rental units in Prince George's County, a move aimed at curbing rapid rent escalation and reducing displacement pressure in the county's rental market. Under the law, maximum annual increases for most regulated units are capped at 6.0 percent or the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers plus 3 percentage points, whichever is lower. For age-restricted senior housing facilities, annual increases cannot exceed 4.5 percent or CPI-U, whichever is lower.

Implementation responsibility has been assigned to the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development and the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement. Those agencies have posted materials and workbooks for landlords and tenants that include rent increase allowance guidance, rent banking worksheets, a capital improvement surcharge policy, and procedures for filing fair return petitions. A PRSA stakeholder update was issued in December 2025, and the county has provided FAQs and translated notices to assist non English-speaking residents. For questions, the county lists PRSAInfo@co.pg.md.us as a contact.

The law contains a set of narrowly defined exemptions. Units completed on or after January 1, 2000 are exempt, as are certain licensed facilities and some condominiums and cooperatives. The statute also creates administrative mechanisms for landlords to seek relief when regulated rents do not provide a fair return. Landlords may petition for a fair return or apply limited surcharges for capital improvements under procedures now being developed by county agencies.

For tenants, the law promises stronger predictability in housing costs and a clearer administrative path to challenge excessive increases. For landlords and property investors, the statute imposes new compliance obligations and limits that may affect revenue calculations and investment decisions. The county’s workbooks and guidance materials are intended to clarify documentation requirements and the mechanics of rent adjustments, including the use of rent banking and capital improvement surcharges.

The transition from statute to enforcement will test the county’s administrative capacity and its ability to resolve disputes efficiently. Close monitoring of implementation details, transparency in petition decisions, and timely outreach to affected residents will determine whether the law achieves its goals without unintended consequences for housing supply. Residents and property owners seeking information or clarification should consult the county's PRSA materials and contact PRSAInfo@co.pg.md.us for assistance.