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BALTIMORE COUNTY RENTAL INSPECTIONS

How do I rent in Baltimore County?

If you own a building in Baltimore County that contains six dwelling units or fewer that you intend to rent, including Section 8 and BRHP-assisted properties, each rental unit must be registered or approved for exemption by Baltimore County before tenants move in.

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You must provide the following with your application:

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  • The Inspection Sheet (PDF) completed by a licensed home inspector

  • A Carbon Monoxide Alarm Verification (PDF)

  • If the home was built before 1978, a lead inspection certificate

How can we help?

As a state licensed Home Inspector, we can help you complete all your third party paperwork, so that you can start renting. Give us a call today, and we can help you make money from your rental property sooner.

What will the Inspector be looking for?

  • A hardwired & battery backed interconnected smoke detectors must be present and operational on every level excluding unoccupied attics, garages or crawl spaces. Wireless remote interconnection is acceptable as long as the smoke detectors are hardwired and approved by a recognized testing lab such as UL and be listed and approved for sale, installation and use in Maryland by the Office of the
    State Fire Marshal. To ensure interconnection works properly, units must be same manufacturer. Smoke alarm units 10 years or older must be replaced.

Single Family Home

1. 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.
2. If the home has a basement, a hardwired smoke detector with a battery backup must also be located
in the basement, and must be interconnected to the smoke detectors on all levels of the dwelling unit.

Homes with 2 or 3 Apartments

1. 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. Basement smoke
detector must be interconnected to the smoke detector on the first floor only.

Homes with 4-6 Apartments

1. A hardwired interconnected smoke detector with a battery backup must be located in the corridor or
hallway outside the sleeping area and on every level of the dwelling unit.
2. A hardwired smoke detector is required in the basement for homes with 4-6 apartments but does not
have to be interconnected.

  • Electrical wires are not visible in living areas.

  • There is hot and cold running water in kitchen and each bathroom with no leaks below sink area and all toilets flush.

  • There are no sleeping areas in the basement or if there is a sleeping area in the basement, there is a secondary means of escape as follows: basement window with minimum 5.7 sq. ft. opening with sill height 44 inches or less from floor OR basement door with thumb turn dead bolt.

  • The furnace is either operational or because of outside temperatures it is unable to be tested

  • Railing is present for interior and exterior steps with more than 3 risers.

  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors are present on every level of the dwelling and audible in sleeping areas.

  • Any other readily observable problems that in the inspector’s opinion represent an immediate threat to the health or safety of occupant.

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