Every year, Annapolis passes dozens of bills that affect real estate. Most never make the evening news, but many can impact homeowners, buyers, sellers, landlords, and even people who simply plan to stay in their homes for years to come.
The good news? You don’t need a law degree to understand what changed.
Here’s a breakdown of the biggest real estate laws passed during Maryland’s 2026 legislative session—and what they could mean for you.
🌊Selling Your Home? Flood Risk Information Is Becoming More Transparent
Beginning July 1, 2027, sellers will be required to provide buyers with a new flood risk disclosure before a contract is signed. If a FEMA elevation certificate exists for the property, that must also be shared.
What this means for homeowners
If your home has a history of flooding—or is located in or near a flood zone—buyers will have more information than ever before.
For sellers, this means:
- Gather flood-related documents before listing your home.
- Be prepared to answer buyer questions.
- Homes outside flood-prone areas may actually become more attractive. For buyers, it’s another layer of protection that helps prevent unpleasant surprises after closing.
💰Earnest Money Deposits Should Be Returned Faster
One frustrating part of a failed home sale is waiting weeks—or even months—for an earnest money deposit to be released.
A new law expands Maryland’s expedited process for returning deposits when contracts are terminated. If the seller doesn’t request mediation or file a complaint within the required time, the deposit must be returned much more quickly.
Why this matters
This creates a more predictable process for both buyers and sellers and helps reduce unnecessary delays when a transaction falls apart.
🚫Some “Homeowner Benefit” Agreements Are No Longer Enforceable
Over the past few years, some homeowners signed long-term agreements promising future real estate business in exchange for small upfront incentives.
Unfortunately, some of those companies later disappeared or fell out of good standing, leaving homeowners with contracts that complicated selling or refinancing.
Maryland has now prohibited enforcement of certain agreements entered into before June 1, 2023, if the company is no longer in good standing with the state.
What this means
If you’ve ever signed one of these agreements and wondered whether it could affect your home’s title, this new law may help remove those obstacles.
🏡 Property Tax Credits Will Be Easier to Find
Many Maryland homeowners qualify for tax credits but never apply simply because they don’t know they exist.
Several new laws aim to change that.
Beginning with future tax bills:
- Counties must include information about available property tax credits and how to apply.
- Homeowners will be able to apply for the Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit year-round instead of during a limited application window.
Bottom line
This could save many Maryland families hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars each year.
❤️ Additional Protections for Homeowners Facing Tax Sales
Several new laws provide stronger protections for homeowners who are struggling financially. These include:
- Additional protections for homeowners experiencing serious illness or hardship.
- Expanded assistance for homes worth up to $450,000.
- A new Legacy Protection Program to help heirs keep inherited family homes from ending up in tax sale due to title or paperwork issues.
Why this matters
These laws are designed to keep families in their homes whenever possible instead of losing them over tax issues.
🔌HOA Can’t Unreasonably Block EV Chargers
If you live in a condominium or HOA community and have been thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle, this is good news.
Beginning October 1, 2026, associations generally cannot unreasonably prohibit homeowners from installing electric vehicle charging equipment in common parking areas, although reasonable approval processes still apply.
As EV ownership grows, this makes charging at home much more practical.
️ More Housing Could Be Built Near Transit
Maryland passed legislation encouraging additional housing around rail stations and transit-oriented developments.
The law simplifies certain zoning requirements and reduces mandatory parking requirements in qualifying areas.
Why homeowners should care
More housing options can:
- Improve affordability
- Increase neighborhood investment
- Support local businesses
- Expand housing choices for future buyers
️️ Stronger Efforts to Fight Deed Fraud
Property fraud continues to be a growing concern nationwide.
Maryland created a task force to study deed fraud prevention and is also evaluating whether blockchain technology could help verify property ownership and reduce fraudulent title transfers.
While these changes won’t immediately affect homeowners, they’re encouraging steps toward protecting one of your largest financial assets.
️ ️Climate Change and Homeowners Insurance
One bill doesn’t create new insurance rules—but it could shape future ones.
Maryland has commissioned a statewide study examining how climate change may affect homeowners insurance availability, pricing, and disaster preparedness.
For homeowners, this is something worth watching as insurance costs continue to rise across much of the country.
What Didn’t Pass?
Not every proposal became law.
Several notable bills failed, including proposals involving:
- Mandatory septic inspections before every home sale
- Higher state transfer taxes on more expensive properties
- Expanded “middle housing” requirements in single-family neighborhoods ● HOA resale package fee reforms
- Rent caps on certain single-family rentals
Just because they didn’t pass this year doesn’t mean they won’t return in future legislative sessions.
Final Thoughts
Real estate laws don’t just affect REALTORS®—they affect anyone who owns a home, plans to buy one, or hopes to sell in the future.
While many of these changes won’t require homeowners to do anything immediately, they could influence how homes are bought and sold, what information buyers receive, available tax savings, HOA rules, and protections against fraud.
If you’re wondering how any of these new laws might affect your specific property or your future real estate plans, we’re always happy to help explain what they mean in plain English.
Because understanding your home shouldn’t require reading 300 pages of legislation.