Baltimore / Resources
RESEARCH & RESOURCES
Everything you need to research a Baltimore property, in one place.
Rental registration, permits, city data, legal guides and local investor community links — curated for Baltimore real estate investors. Search or filter to find what you need.
Hard Money Calculator
Estimate interest-only payments, points and total cost for a fix-and-flip or bridge loan — including multi-draw rehab funding and your projected profit if you sell at ARV.
Open calculator → CalculatorsMortgage Calculator
Estimate your monthly payment — principal, interest, taxes, insurance, PMI and HOA — for a Baltimore property purchase.
Open calculator → RentalsRental Registration Search
Look up a property to verify it has a valid rental license with Baltimore Housing.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsMDE Lead Registration Search
Check whether a rental property has a current Maryland lead paint risk-reduction certificate.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsRental & Housing Laws Guide
Plain-language guide to Baltimore City landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsRegistration & Licensing Requirements
DHCD's official brochure (PDF) laying out exactly what's required to legally register and license a rental property in Baltimore City — who needs to register, what licensing tier applies, and what documentation to have ready. Start here if you're not sure what applies to your situation.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsRentometer
Compare a rental's asking price against similar nearby units to sanity-check rent estimates.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsMaryland Tenants' Bill of Rights
Statewide tenant protections (PDF), effective July 1, 2025 — know what applies before you rent a unit out.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsProperty Registration Portal
Create a profile and submit a new property registration directly through Baltimore City's official online portal. This is the actual starting point for registering any rental property, once you know which registration type applies to you.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsRegistration Portal Instructions
A step-by-step instruction sheet (PDF) for using the property registration portal above. Handy if you get stuck partway through registering a property and want a walkthrough instead of trial and error.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsProperty Registration FAQ
The city's own frequently-asked-questions document (PDF) covering common registration issues — renewal timing, fees, and ownership changes among them. Worth checking before calling DHCD directly, since it answers most of the routine questions.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsMultifamily Dwelling Inspection Chart
A reference chart (PDF) explaining which inspection requirements apply to multifamily dwellings versus single-family rentals. Useful for figuring out your specific inspection timeline and requirements before you schedule anything.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsRental License Inspection Form
The actual checklist (PDF) an inspector uses when evaluating a property for a rental license. Reviewing it ahead of time lets you fix obvious issues before an inspector shows up.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsMultifamily Inspection Checklist Addendum
Additional inspection requirements (PDF) that apply specifically to multifamily properties, on top of the standard rental license checklist. Relevant if you're licensing a building with more than a couple of units.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsInspection Checklist Guidance
Instructions (PDF) for how to actually fill out and use the rental license inspection checklist correctly. Pairs with the inspection form above if the checklist itself isn't self-explanatory.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsRegistered Home Inspectors List
A searchable directory of home inspectors registered with Baltimore City. Rental license inspections generally need to be performed by someone on this list, so it's worth checking before you hire one.
Visit resource ↗ RentalsShort-Term Rental Licensing
Explains the separate licensing track for short-term rentals (Airbnb-style stays) in Baltimore City, distinct from standard long-term rental licensing. Check this before assuming a standard rental license covers short-term use.
Visit resource ↗Sample Lease
A city-provided sample lease template you can use as a starting point for your own rental agreements. Also available in Spanish, Korean and Traditional Chinese if you're leasing to tenants who'd prefer a lease in another language.
Visit resource ↗ Español 한국어 繁體中文Sanitation Guide for Posting in Units
A guide (PDF) explaining sanitation-code information that's required to be posted inside rental units. A quick compliance item that's easy to overlook when you're focused on bigger-ticket inspection items.
Visit resource ↗Sanitation Brochure
An overview brochure (PDF) of Baltimore's sanitation code requirements for rental properties. Covers the basics of what code enforcement actually checks for, also available in Spanish.
Visit resource ↗ EspañolDHCD Resources for Renters
DHCD's hub page of resources aimed at tenants. Useful to know what your renters have access to, and what rights or programs they might bring up with you directly.
Visit resource ↗ Construction & PermitsBuilding Violations & Condemnation Search
Search a property for open violation notices or condemnation status before you buy.
Visit resource ↗ Construction & PermitsBuilding Permit Notes
The city's own brochure (PDF) explaining what construction work actually needs a permit.
Visit resource ↗ Construction & PermitsBuilding Permit Fees
Official fee schedule for Baltimore City building permits, published by DHCD.
Visit resource ↗ Construction & PermitsPermits, Inspections & Licensing Hub
DHCD's central landing page for everything related to permits, inspections, registrations and licensing. A good starting point if you're not sure which specific resource on this page applies to what you're trying to do.
Visit resource ↗ Construction & PermitsMaryland Home Improvement Contractor Search
Maryland's official public query tool for verifying a home improvement contractor or salesperson's license — search by name, business name, location, or license number. Worth checking before you hire anyone for permitted work, since Maryland requires a Home Improvement Commission license for most contracting work on residential property.
Visit resource ↗ Construction & PermitsPermit Fees
Baltimore City Code § 14-26, the code provision that sets permit fees under Article 31 (Transit and Traffic). Note: this specific section covers valet parking zone permit fees — for construction/building permit fee schedules, see the Building Permit Fees card above instead.
Visit resource ↗ Data & MapsOpen Baltimore
The city's open data portal — permits, crime, 311 requests and dozens of other public datasets.
Visit resource ↗ Data & MapsVacant Building Dashboard
Interactive dashboard tracking vacant and abandoned buildings across the city.
Visit resource ↗ Data & MapsBaltimore Investment Map (Buy Into Bmore)
Search vacant lots and city-owned property that's available to purchase.
Visit resource ↗ Data & MapsNeighborhood Map of Baltimore
Maryland's official interactive map of Baltimore's neighborhood boundaries.
Visit resource ↗ Data & MapsGrocery & Convenience Store Map
Search food access by zip code and store type — useful context for a neighborhood's amenities.
Visit resource ↗ Data & MapsReframe Baltimore
The city's 15-year plan to eliminate vacant housing — useful for reading where investment is headed.
Visit resource ↗ Data & MapsDeedScope: Property Records & Due-Diligence Lookup
Free property intelligence covering deed history, tax assessments, flood zones, zoning, permits, and environmental risk across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia — 5 free property reports a day, no credit card required.
Visit resource ↗ Legal & GeneralWhat Is Ground Rent?
Plain-language explanation of Maryland's ground rent system, common in older Baltimore rowhouses.
Visit resource ↗ Legal & GeneralMaryland Tenant Mold Protection Act
Text of the statewide mold-disclosure and remediation regulations (PDF), effective June 1, 2027.
Visit resource ↗ Legal & GeneralLease Addendum — Tenant's Rights
A required addendum (PDF) that must be provided to tenants at lease signing, outlining their rights under city law. This isn't optional — it's a legal requirement for licensed rentals in Baltimore City.
Visit resource ↗Fair Housing Brochure for Landlords
Summarizes fair housing obligations landlords need to know — protected classes, prohibited practices, and where to direct a complaint. Also available in Chinese (simplified and traditional), Korean, and Spanish.
Visit resource ↗ 简体中文 繁體中文 한국어 EspañolStrengthening Renters' Safety Act
Explains a relatively recent Baltimore law aimed at improving rental housing safety and code enforcement. Worth reading to understand what's changed in how the city enforces rental property conditions.
Visit resource ↗ Legal & GeneralBaltimore City Code
Full table of contents for the Baltimore City Code, including Article 13 (Housing and Building Regulations) and Article 32 (Zoning) — for when you need the legal source itself rather than someone else's summary of it. Worth bookmarking generally, not just for rentals.
Visit resource ↗ Market ResearchMashvisor: Baltimore Market Trends & Forecast
Independent market analysis and forecasting for Baltimore real estate.
Visit resource ↗Charm City Buyers
Local investor mentorship and educational programs for Baltimore real estate.
Visit resource ↗ YouTube InstagramDevin Moreno Investing
Investor mentorship and consultation focused on the Baltimore market.
Visit resource ↗ YouTubeReBUILD Metro
Community-driven revitalization of East Baltimore rowhouses — renovation, rental and homeownership programs, without displacement.
Visit resource ↗ YouTubeMonarch Bay Renovations
Licensed Baltimore-area general contractor (MHIC #149066) with in-house crews for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, decks and whole-home gut rehabs — serves investors flipping or renting properties, realtors prepping listings, and homeowners.
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