Montgomery County, MD rent stabilization: allowed increase July 2026 – June 2027
Allowed increase for covered units: 5.2% (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). Previous period: 5.7% (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).
Checked against the official Montgomery County, MD sources on November 8, 2026. Last site change: November 8, 2026 (changelog).
How the increase is set
Washington-area CPI-U plus 3%, capped at 6% (2026: 2.2% + 3% = 5.2%; 2025: 2.7% + 3% = 5.7%; 2024: capped at 6%). Set by DHCA each year for July 1 through June 30.
What else to know
- Rent can go up only once in 12 months, at lease renewal or a new lease. Multi-year leases keep the same rent for the whole term.
- Unused allowance is banked per unit and does not expire; allowance plus banked rent may not exceed 10% of the current rent.
- Properties on the County's Troubled or At-Risk Properties list may not raise rent until the designation is removed.
Example
On a rent of $2,000 the most a covered unit can go up is $104, to $2,104 a month.
Which units are covered?
County-licensed rental units, except among others: units offered for rent for less than 23 years, units substantially renovated within 23 years, units of an individual owning 2 or fewer rental units in the County, income-restricted units under a regulatory agreement (e.g. MPDU; vouchers do not count), and ADUs. Gaithersburg, Rockville, Takoma Park, Barnesville and Laytonsville are not covered (Takoma Park has its own program).
Notice
90 days' written notice before any rent increase, for regulated and exempt units alike, delivered by U.S. mail or in person with a signed receipt. Maryland's general rule elsewhere is 60 days. See also notice rules by state.
Nearby: Washington, D.C. rent control
Sources: DHCA: rent stabilization increases and limitations · DHCA: rent stabilization exemptions · Montgomery County Code § 29-57 (annual rent increase allowance)