Do I Need a Real Estate License to
be a Property Manager in Maryland?
At this time, there is no requirement that any license is needed to be manage residential rental properties in Maryland. The 2025 Legislative Session for the Maryland General Assembly will begin in mid-January. We don’t know yet if any legislation will be proposed. If no action is taken during the session, it is possible that legislation to change this law could be considered in the 2026 Legislative Session.
Are you eager to maximize your rental profits, avoid potential fines, and truly value your time as a rental property owner? Join us for a free Zoom chat session where you’ll learn expert tips to build wealth through effective rental property management:
Our upcoming sessions are scheduled for January 2 and January 16 at 5:30 pm. The Zoom Chat Session is a $50 value! It is possible that multiple people will attend, so privacy cannot be guaranteed. Alternatively, you can request a personalized chat session at your convenience. As a bonus, attendees will receive a FREE copy of our E-Book, “Investment Real Estate: Your Best Hedge Against Inflation.” This is a $100 value! Registration is required to receive the session invitation. Don’t miss out. Register now and take the first step toward optimizing your rental property investments! |
Why Should Property Managers be Licensed?
We believe that unlicensed property managers put Maryland property owners at a disadvantage. One reason is that an unlicensed property manager cannot advertise and market properties for rent through the Regional MLS (Bright MLS). They need to hire a licensed Real Estate Agent to do that for them. As the property owner, you may have no say in who markets your home. The exception to this would be apartment complexes that have on-site management and rental services.
DMS Properties, LLC Residential Real Estate Services will not hire anyone that is not a licensed real estate agent to work with properties. Unlicensed persons are limited in how they can interact with the public about properties. The training that licensed agents are required to have by the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) makes us better. It helps our agents serve our clients and customers well and gives Maryland consumers a layer of protection outside of the Court system.
The MREC receives complaints every year from property owners. Many of those complaints are because of problems with property managers. Unfortunately, the MREC has no jurisdiction over someone who does not have a real estate license.
We have been told that the MREC would like to see licensing become a reality. Our State Association (Maryland Realtors) lobbies for this every year. DMS Properties, LLC Residential Real Estate Services is an advocate of requiring licenses. We will lobby for its passage if it is ever introduced.
A homeowner who has a complaint against an unlicensed property manager has two options. They can file a complaint with the Maryland Attorney General’s office. We don’t have any information about that process. The other option is to file a civil lawsuit in Court.
If you are Not a Licensed Real
Estate Agent in Maryland
We will not consider an affiliation. You may want to consider thinking about a career in real estate and getting your license. On the other hand, we would like to speak with real estate agents licensed in Maryland. If an agent affiliates with DMS Properties, LLC Residential Real Estate Services, they would also be able to work with home buyers and sellers. You can review our career information or contact us today.
Information for Rental Property Owners
We recommend that homeowners who are looking for property management services think hard about how they proceed. We believe you should hire a property manager who is a licensed Real Estate Agent. You should ask that FIRST of any prospective property manager. If they cannot show you valid license information, you should seriously consider looking elsewhere. You can always look up their license status on the MREC website. The MREC also publishes disciplinary actions that they take every year. The information is there for consumers to do their own research.