Tenant placement services in Gaithersburg

Tenant screening in Gaithersburg runs inside a specific city framework. The rewritten landlord-tenant code, City Code Chapter 13, was adopted November 4, 2024 and took effect January 1, 2025. Under city rules, landlords must offer an initial two-year lease unless reasonable cause exists. Condominium, cooperative and single-family rentals are exempt. Apartments are not.

Lease terms carry city minimums too. A Gaithersburg lease must allow at least 10 days before a late fee can be charged. We build that grace period into the lease and the rent collection schedule. Owners used to shorter grace periods elsewhere need to adjust.

State rules govern money up front. A Maryland landlord may not take a security deposit above one month’s rent. Any application fee above $25 has to be refunded within 15 days, minus actual screening costs. We keep fee amounts and refunds documented for every applicant.

Screening itself follows written criteria applied equally. We verify income, rental history, credit and identity, then compare each applicant against the same standards. Source of income can’t be a reason to reject someone in Maryland. Notes on every decision go in the file. Consistency protects both owner and applicant.

Placement ends with a signed lease, a move-in inspection with photos and the city license number on file. Keys change hands only after funds clear. We also hand the tenant written move-in instructions, utility transfer steps and maintenance contacts. A clean start reduces calls later. Rent collection begins on the date the lease states.

Tenant placement services describes the general service. Listing work happens on rental listing marketing in Gaithersburg. Licensing and long-range planning are covered on renting out your house in Gaithersburg. County-regulated screening appears in Tenant screening in Silver Spring. Owners with questions about a specific property can reach our Gaithersburg real estate agent.