Rental License Information & FAQs
Rental License Approval Requirements
All Baltimore residential rental units must abide by the appropriate rental house statutes and housing laws. All residential rental units are required to be registered, inspected, and licensed to ensure safety and maintenance requirements are met.
Effective July 22, 2024, all listings on this website will require approval by the University of Baltimore. In order for your listing to be approved, you will need to upload a copy of your current property rental license and provide its expiration date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a license for Baltimore City?
How do I obtain a license for Baltimore County?
Do I need to obtain a rental license if I am renting out a room in my own residence (where I live)?
How do I upload my license to the website?
How long will it take for my listing to be approved?
Will my listing need to be re-approved when I upload my new license?
I already uploaded my current rental license to my listing. Do I need to upload it again?
License Information
Baltimore City
Baltimore City requires all residential rental units to be registered, inspected, and licensed to ensure that they meet basic safety and maintenance requirements. If your property is not a rental but is non-owner-occupied, it still must be registered annually.
Register Your Property Online
Register In-Person
To register in person, visit the Property Registration and Licensing Division located at 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 100.
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Phone: 410-396-3575
Email: property_registration@baltimorecity.gov
Baltimore County
Most rental property in Baltimore County must be registered for a rental license, per Baltimore County Code Section 35-5-201.
For more information regarding exceptions, how to register, or to contact the Baltimore County Rental Housing Registration Office, please visit Baltimore County Rental Housing Registration website.
Register Your Property
Follow these steps to register your property with Baltimore County.
Owner-Occupied Housing
For owner-occupied housing, a rental license is not required if you are renting out a room, and the tenant will have full access to shared living spaces and a shared entrance.
A rental license IS required if you are renting out a room with a separate living space and a private entrance.
In order to list your Baltimore rental unit, you will need to make sure you have the appropriate rental license and upload a copy of this license.
How to Upload Your Rental License
- Log in to your account
- Go to My Listings
- Click Edit on the right-hand side of your listing
Go to the "Specifics" tab on the left-hand side and select Yes from the drop-down menu:
- Select your rental license expiration date from the calendar drop-down.
- Click Choose File and upload a copy of your rental license.
Click Save:
Need help uploading your license? Please contact our customer support team for assistance.
File Requirements
The file must be under 8MB and clearly readable. Accepted file formats include:
- Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx)
- Adobe PDF (.pdf)
- Plain Text (.txt)
- Image (.jpeg, .jpg, .png)
To Edit/Remove Your Rental License:
Select Remove uploaded City/County License and click Save:
Listing Approval
Upon saving your changes, your listing will be sent to the University of Baltimore for approval. The status in the top-left corner will update to Pending Approval:
How long will it take for my listing to be approved?
You will receive email updates regarding your listing's approval status. Listing approvals typically take 1-2 business days.
If more than two business days have passed since your listing was submitted for approval, you can contact offcampus@costar.com to inquire about its status.
Will my listing need to be re-approved when I upload my new license?
Yes. If you replace your current rental license with a new file or change the expiration date for an already approved listing, it will need to be approved again.
Approval status is valid for a maximum of 365 days (or one year). After one year, your listing will approval status will expire, and your listing will require re-approval.
What if my listing is denied?
If your listing is denied, you will be notified via email. You will receive a follow-up email within 1-2 business days confirming your refund and any additional account changes. Should you have any questions about the process, please feel free to reach out to us directly.
For Information on Your Listing’s Denial:
UB Admissions Office | housing@ubalt.edu | (410) 955-3416
For Information on Your Refund:
Off Campus Partners | offcampus@costar.com | 877-895-1234
I already uploaded my current rental license to my listing. Do I need to upload it again?
No, you do not need to upload it again. If you list your property (or properties) on other off-campus websites in Baltimore and have already uploaded your rental license, you can use the same license across all sites, as long as it is active and meets all Baltimore County or Baltimore City requirements. Although approval processes and durations may vary by university website, only one uploaded license is required per listing.