SlateHouse Property Management covers all of your needs for an investment property in the Baltimore area. SlateHouse uses a combination of technology, investment expertise, operations systems, and an awesome local team to create a world-class property management operation.

Pricing is very simple: 7% of collected rent each month for monthly management. If SlateHouse needs to find you a tenant, 50% of one months rent as a leasing fee as a one-time fee.

One nice benefit is your contract with SlateHouse is month to month —- we don’t lock you into a long-term deal. We are investors like yourself — and can’t wait to help you build your portfolio. If you would like more information about working with SlateHouse — please email Service@slatehousegroup.com.

Additional Investor Info on Baltimore City

Alarm & Property Registration and Licensing

NEW: Rental Property Licensing

On August 1, 2018, a new law took effect requiring all Baltimore City rental properties, including one- and two-family and multi-family dwellings, to be licensed to operate as a rental by January 1, 2019.  In order to receive a license from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) the property must meet two requirements: 1) be registered with DHCD using the online portal and 2) be inspected by a State Licensed, Baltimore City registered Home Inspector.

NOTE:

1.      If your MFD license is scheduled to expire in 2018 you are NOT required to get a third-party inspection. A Baltimore City inspector will conduct the inspection as scheduled.

2.      Any MFDs whose license(s) will expire AFTER December 31, 2018, must get a third-party inspection

Property Owners/Operators

The Baltimore City Code requires "whether occupied or vacant, whether it is producing revenue or not producing revenue, whether habitable or not habitable" shall file a registration statement with the Housing Commissioner. This must be done within 10 days of any transfer of the property and every January 1st thereafter.

Alarm Registration

The Baltimore City Code requires an alarm system contractor, monitor and user to register with the Police Commissioner annually. EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 26TH, 2012 there is no fee for users to register an alarm however, contractors and monitors must register and pay the appropriate fee.

Vacant Lot Registration

The Baltimore City Code requires that the owner of a vacant lot that is assessed for $100 or more must file a registration statement with the Housing Commissioner. At the time of acquisition, a new owner of a vacant lot must file a registration statement and pay any registration fees due. This must be done within 10 days of any transfer of the property and every year thereafter.

Here is what you need to know to get your property registered, licensed and inspected:

 Investor Info for Baltimore County

Baltimore City and County Evictions:

You have to prove an eviction is just and right.  Here are some helpful documents you should have access to for every property you own as rental property:

·        Signed lease agreement

·        Copy of Notice to Cease

·        Copy of Notice to Quit

·        Bank statements

·        All correspondence between yourself and the tenant

·        Pictures of damage

·        Complaints from other tenants

·        Any other evidence that will support your motion to evict

If you do not come to court with the proper documentation that your tenant is deserving of an eviction, even if they truly are, they may be allowed to stay in your property due to lack of evidence.

All Baltimore County buildings or portions of a building that contain one to six dwelling units intended or designed to be rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied for living purposes be registered and licensed with Baltimore County.

You must register and be licensed before a tenant moves into the property.

A person who owns and rents a dwelling unit or a portion of a dwelling unit without a license may be subject to the denial, suspension, revocation or non-renewal of the license or civil penalties of $25 per day for each day a violation occurs and $200 per day for each day a correction notice is not complied with, and there will be a $1,000 fine for not complying with the Rental Registration Law.

Registration

You may register online, by mail or in person.

https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/permits/rentalregistration/index.html

Home Inspections:

All rental properties must be inspected. The home inspector must be licensed by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations. A home inspection requires the Baltimore County license inspection sheet to be completed and signed by a licensed inspector for the compliance of one or more of the components of an existing residential building with the health and safety requirements established by the Director. Cost is determined by the home inspector, not by the government.

Inspectors look for the following:

  • Smoke detectors

  • Carbon Monoxide alarms are installed in the common area outside of sleeping areas and on every level of the dwelling unit

  • Electrical system has no apparent visual hazards

  • All plumbing is functional with no apparent visual hazards

  • All windows designed to be opened are operational

  • All combustion appliances (furnace, hot water heater, dryer, etc.) are properly vented

  • Secondary means of escape from sleeping areas exist with no exterior health or safety hazards

If the inspector is Licensed, or accredited with the state to perform both lead and home inspections.

If you got a Section 8 inspection, you do NOT also need a separate Baltimore County inspection. You just need to provide that inspection certificate that was completed in the last 12 months and the rental housing application.

The rental license is valid for three years and will expire on the third anniversary of its effective date. Before a license expires, the licensee may periodically renew it for an additional three-year term. For additional information, call the Rental Registration office at 410-887-6060.

Smoke Detector Requirements:

Single-family home:

·        A hardwired smoke detector with a battery backup must be located in the corridor or hallway outside of sleeping areas and on every level on the dwelling unit.

·        If the home has a basement, a hardwired smoke detector with a battery backup must also be located in the basement, and it must be interconnected to the smoke detectors on all levels of the dwelling unit.

Homes with two or three apartments:

·        A hardwired smoke detector with a battery backup must be located in the corridor or hallway outside of sleeping areas and on every level of the dwelling unit including the basement.

·        A basement smoke detector must be interconnected to the smoke detector on the first floor only.

 Homes with four to six apartments:

·        A hardwired smoke detector with a battery backup must be located in the corridor or hallway outside of sleeping areas and on every level of the dwelling unit.

·        A hardwired smoke detector is required in the basement for homes with 4-6 apartments but does not have to be interconnected.

Wireless remote is accepted for interconnection of smoke detectors as long as the smoke detectors are hardwired and approved by a recognized testing lab such as UL and listed for sale, installation and use in Maryland by the Office of the State Fire Marshall.  

Note: All smoke detectors must be NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code and UL approved.



If you have specific questions — please reach out directly to Service@slatehousegroup.com