db:modlse.pr               97-348                                               Contact: Sue Rogan, 301-217-7391 
  
DUNCAN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY 
OF MODEL LEASES FOR LANDLORDS                     FOR RELEASE: November 13, 1997

     Model leases are now available to landlords and tenants in Montgomery County.  County
Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced today that as a result of bringing together the County's
Commission on Landlord Tenant Affairs; the Montgomery County Association of REALTORS®
(MCAR); and the Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington (AOBA), two
model leases have been developed -- one for single-family homes and one for apartment buildings.  The
leases are now available for immediate use.
     The model leases are in plain language and comply with all applicable County and State
landlord-tenant laws.  In recent years, the County's landlord-tenant office noticed an increase in the
number of first-time, single-family landlords applying for a rental license. However, since many of these
new landlords had little, if any, experience with leases or landlord-tenant law, they often purchased from
office supply stores sample leases that were incomplete and did not comply with applicable laws.   The
new landlords then requested the County's help.
     "I am pleased that through the collaborative efforts of the County's regulatory body and the
professional trade associations, we now have a balanced, fair and comprehensive model lease that
complies with law and is readily available to those who need it," Duncan said.
     "It has been a goal of the Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs to standardize leases in
Montgomery County.  When all the parties are working from the same document, it should result in
fewer disputes, as well as make it easier to resolve the disputes that do arise," said Greg Smith, Chair of
the Commission.                                              (more)

DUNCAN ANNOUNCES  MODEL LEASES                                                                2-2-2-2 
  

     The model leases, along with an inspection checklist and moving out instructions, are available at
no cost through the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, 301-217-7373, or the Montgomery
County Association of REALTORS® at 301-590-2000.  The County will also be contacting local
stationery and business supply stores to review all leases which are currently being sold to ensure that
such leases comply with law.

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