Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has signed into law "The Councilmember Mary Pat Clarke Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act," which aims to restore renters' ability to engage directly with their landlords who may be looking to sell their rental properties and provide easier pathways for renters to move to homeownership.
The bill was inspired by the continuous advocacy and previous legislation led by former Council President Mary Pat Clarke. As a Councilwoman representing Northeast Baltimore, she worked with St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center founders Vinnie Quayle and Frank Fisher on the original 'Tenant Right of First Refusal' legislation, which was the first legislation in the country designed to give tenants the opportunity to purchase the homes in which they live when the owner was ready to sell. Exemptions added by later legislation made former Council President Clarke's bill all but obsolete.
The Councilmember Mary Pat Clarke Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act repeals the exemptions that gutted the original legislation, and reestablishes that if an owner/landlord wants to sell their property, they must first provide their current tenant opportunity to pursue a purchase. With some exceptions, the tenant would have 14 days to make a decision to sign a letter of intent to purchase and enter a contract, or the owner can move forward in the process of selling the property to any potential buyer. The legislation also implements a number of reporting and data requirements.
The bill will make a significant impact for numerous families across Baltimore by eliminating substantial barriers to homeownership and prioritizing renters pursuing homeownership in Baltimore's housing market.
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Source: City of Baltimore Daily Digest Bulletin, October 17, 2023.
