The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5261, effective October 1, 2026, allows municipalities to adopt ordinances that prohibit rent increases for residential properties that have two or more violations of local health and safety ordinances or the State Building Code. This measure aims to protect tenants living in dwellings that are not up to code by ensuring that landlords cannot raise rents until the identified violations are addressed and remedied.

The bill introduces new legal language that empowers local legislative bodies to take action against landlords who fail to maintain their properties in compliance with safety standards. There are no deletions from current law in this bill, as it establishes a new section specifically addressing the prohibition of rent increases in the context of multiple building code violations. The intent of the legislation is to enhance tenant protections and promote safer living conditions.