MarylandSB 01302026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Environment - Water - Individual Submeters

Sponsored By: Shaneka Henson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

EnvironmentReal PropertyApartmentsCommittees and CommissionsCondominiumsConsumer ProtectionCounties -see also- Chartered Counties; Code Counties; etc.DisclosureEnvironment, Department of theEnvironmental Matters -see also- Conserv; Nat Resrce; PollutEquipment -see also- Charging; Med. Equip.; MV Equip; etc.Fees -see also- Attys' Fees; Devt Fees & TaxesHousing and Community Development, Department ofHousing -see also- Apartments; Condos; Mobile & Manuf HomesLandlords and TenantsLeases and RentMobile and Manufactured HomesNoticesPrices -see also- Consumer Price IndexPublic Works, Board ofRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsSewageTimeUtilities -see also- Recycl; Refuse; Sewage; Teleph; WaterWashington Suburban Sanitary DistrictWater -see also- Coastal Bays; Riv,Str,Lks; Wastewater; etc.Weights and Measures

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Renters gain protections against faulty water meters

Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland’s environment department must set submeter accuracy, testing, and recordkeeping rules with the state housing department. Standards must be at least as strict as those for water service providers’ meters. When an apartment submeter gives inadequate or inaccurate data, the bill can use the occupant’s average actual costs from the latest 3 months. Without those records, it can use average estimated costs from the latest 3 months for units with comparable size and occupant counts. After two consecutive billing cycles without repair or replacement, billing must stop until the submeter is repaired or replaced.

Tenants get advance water cost notices

Beginning October 1, 2026, landlords requiring third-party payments for submetered water or sewer must disclose that duty in a written lease. Tenants must receive each bill at least 20 days before payment is due. Before the initial lease begins, landlords must give written notice of the unit’s total water and sewer costs billed during the preceding 2 years. If the unit had no such bills, the notice must show costs billed to a comparably sized unit during that period. Landlords who do not comply with Maryland’s submeter requirements cannot require third-party water or sewer payments.

Renters can check and challenge water bills

Beginning October 1, 2026, property owners, operators, managers, and hired contractors must keep submeter records, obtain other records needed to verify bills, and allow occupant inspection during reasonable business hours. Records must include provider charges for the preceding 2 years and monthly property-wide utility costs and collected revenue for the current and previous calendar years. They must also include the formula used to divide charges among units and other information needed to check a bill. Occupants can file complaints where the apartment house or mobile home park is located, using the local landlord–tenant commission or, if none exists, a local consumer protection agency with authority. Occupants can also bring a private lawsuit, but the law removes the state-agency complaint option.

Renters get usage-based bills with limits

Beginning October 1, 2026, housing authorities, property owners, operators, managers, and hired contractors can install individual water submeters in apartment or mobile home park units without direct meters. Housing authorities need approval from Maryland’s housing department and the Board of Public Works or an equivalent local authority. Water and sewer charges must stay within provider charges, divided among units based on actual use. Occupants cannot be charged for common areas, nonresidential spaces, or maintenance and leaks that the property’s responsible parties must address. An added billing and administration fee is allowed, capped at $1 per unit per month.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Shaneka Henson
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 133 • No: 48

House vote • 4/7/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 100 • No: 37 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/23/2026