A proposed bill would require landlords who don’t renew leases to provide a reason, helping prevent capricious retaliation against tenants while still holding tenants who don’t obey the terms of their lease responsible.

In an opinion piece in Greater Greater Washington, Mike English calls on Maryland lawmakers to support good cause eviction, a policy that protects tenants who have paid their rent on time and followed the rules of their lease from unjust eviction.
“As more and more people are forced to stay renters because of an unaffordable homeownership market, good cause eviction allows residents to stay rooted in their communities and holds large landlords accountable for their actions,” English writes. Landlords who want to evict tenants should have to provide a “good cause” for the eviction. The bill would not limit rent costs and would exempt landlords with five or fewer units.
English argues that current laws, which don’t require landlords to state a reason for evictions, allow them to discriminate against tenants they find undesirable or those who attempt to organize with fellow renters. “With good cause eviction, landlords could still choose not to renew a lease, but would have to state the reason, making the facts behind any disputes clearer and easier to handle.”
English urges passage of Maryland HB 709/SB 651, adding, “Good cause eviction will not protect renters who don’t hold up their end of the lease. It will simply protect renters from landlords who won’t hold up their end, either.”
FULL STORY: It’s time for good cause eviction in Maryland

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie