ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 10, 2026, Today, the County Council unanimously approved Bill 40-26, Landlord-Tenant Relations – Accepted Forms of Payment. The legislation does one very simple thing: it requires landlords to accept checks, personal checks or money orders as an acceptable form of rent payment.
“Renters deserve more payment options when rent comes due at the end of the month,” said Council President Natali Fani-González. “While paying online has become commonplace and does offer benefits, not all renters have a traditional relationship with the banking system or prefer to pay by check or money order. This legislation ensures that all renters are provided a more accommodating menu of options when rent comes due without unnecessarily burdening landlords.”
Over the last few years, the Council and Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) have heard from renters experiencing hardship because they wanted to pay with a check or money order but were not afforded that option by their landlord. Council President Fani-González worked closely with community groups, DHCA, landlords, and her colleagues on the housing committee to craft the legislation needed to address this problem. It was also modeled after legislation recently enacted statewide in Virginia.
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“I want to thank in particular my colleagues PHP Chair Andrew Friedson and Councilmember and County Executive-Elect Will Jawando for their thoughtful contributions to this legislation in committee,” said Council President Natali Fani-González. “The end result is common-sense and targeted measure to provide more payment options to renters.”
The legislation takes effect 91 days after the County Executive signs it into law. Residents can view Bill 40-26 and the Council staff report here.
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Read the original article at mccouncil
