Opportunity to Purchase – Procedures and Requirements

Baltimore City Code art. 13, div. II, subtit. 6, pt. 2

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6-7 Opportunity to purchase - generally.

§ 6-7. Opportunity to purchase - generally. Before a landlord may settle on the sale of a rental single-family dwelling unit, the landlord shall give the tenant an opportunity to purchase the rental single-family dwelling unit at a price and under terms that constitute an offer of sale in accordance with the requirements of this subtitle. (Ord. 24-336 Section 1; Ord. 23-275 §§ 1, 2.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6-8 Offer of sale.

§ 6-8. Offer of sale. (a) In general Prior to offer the rental single-family dwelling unit for sale to another party, a landlord shall provide a written offer of sale to: (1) the tenant within the rental dwelling unit; and (2) the Commissioner, on behalf of the Mayor and City Council. (b) Contents of offer of sale. (1) In general. The offer of sale required by this section shall include: (i) the asking price and the material terms of sale; and (ii) a statement that the landlord shall provide the tenant, within 7 calendar days of a request, the following: 1. a complete copy of any third-party contact to purchase the rental single-family dwelling unit, with the purchaser name redacted; and 2. copies of available licensing inspection reports of the rental single-family dwelling unit for the previous 2 years. (2) Delay. For each calendar day of delay by the landlord to provide the information required by subsection (b)(1)(ii) of this section, the time period for the tenant to express interest in purchasing the rental single-family dwelling unit or to negotiate a contract with the landlord for the purchase of the rental single-family dwelling unit, as the case may be, shall be extended by 1 day. (c) Additional Information The landlord shall share the fact sheet regarding tenant rights under this section, which can be obtained from the Department of Housing and Community Development’s office or website. (d) Changes after notice of sale. (1) “Material change” defined. In this subsection, “material change” means: (i) a change in the purchaser under a third-party contact; or (ii) a reduction in the sales price of 10% or more. (2) In general (i) If there is a subsequent third-party contract after the initial offer of sale was transmitted that results in a material change or if the terms of a third-party contract to purchase the rental dwelling unit materially change between the time an offer of sale is made and the settlement, the landlord shall provide the tenant with a new offer of sale reflecting the new terms. (ii) If the initial time period to indicate interest has expired, the tenant shall have all rights preserved under this subtitle except that the period to indicate interest in purchasing the rental single-family dwelling unit under the revised terms of sale may not exceed 7 calendar days from the date of receipt of the new offer of sale. (3) Sale price increase. A landlord is not required to provide a new offer of sale if there is an increase in the sale price. (Ord. 24-336 Section 1; Ord. 23-275 §§ 1, 2.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6-9 Opportunity to purchase.

§ 6-9. Opportunity to purchase. (a) On receipt of offer of sale. On receipt of the written offer of sale required by § 6-8 {“Offer of sale”} of this subtitle, a tenant shall have 14 calendar days to deliver a written statement of interest to the landlord. (b) Acceptance of offer of sale. (1) The tenant may accept the offer of sale by submitting a written contract within 14 calendar days from the date of the submission of the statement of interest. (2) The contract must include substantially the same terms and conditions set forth in the any third-party contract of sale, including any contract term that provides for a reasonable real estate commission. (c) Settlement; Financing. (1) In order for the tenant to secure financing, any contract of sale shall provide a reasonable period of no less than 30 days between the execution of the contract and settlement. (2) A landlord shall afford a tenant a reasonable and commensurate extension of time, if: (i) the tenant is obtaining financing through a government or other loan program designed for low- or moderate-income persons or first-time homebuyers; and (ii) the government agency or other lender estimates in writing that a financing decision will be made within 60 calendar days after the date of the contract. (d) Expiration. If 6 months elapses from the date the landlord has delivered the written offer of sale required by § 6-8 {“Offer of sale”} to a tenant and the landlord has not gone to settlement on the sale of the rental dwelling unit, the landlord shall send a new written offer of sale to the relevant parties before selling the rental dwelling unit. (Ord. 23-275 §§ 1, 2.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, § 6-10 Assignment of rights.

§ 6-10. Assignment of rights. The rights of a tenant under this subtitle may not be assigned and anyattempted assignment is void. (Ord. 24-336 Section 1; Ord. 23-275 §§ 1, 2.)

Baltimore City Code, Article 13, §§ 6-10 to 6-13 {Reserved}

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/13/II/6/2Fetched: 10/25/2026