(A) Scope. An owner shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this code and may be cited for violations of it, except as provided in this section. A person may not rent or lease to another person for occupancy or use any housing unit unless the structure and premises comply with the provisions of this code.
(B) General. An owner may not be cited for a violation of this code that is caused by the negligent, wrongful or malicious acts or omissions of a tenant, provided the owner’s acts or omissions have not contributed in any way to cause the violation.
(C) Sanitary condition.
(1) Cleanliness.
(a) The tenant shall be responsible for keeping that part of the structure or premises which the tenant occupies, controls, or uses in a clean and sanitary condition.
(b) Each owner of a structure containing 2 or more housing units shall maintain, in a clean and sanitary condition, the common areas of the structure and premises.
(2) Disposal and storage of rubbish and garbage. The tenant shall be responsible for the storage and disposal of rubbish and garbage in a clean and sanitary manner as may be required by applicable laws or ordinances.
(3) Supplied fixtures and equipment.
(a) The tenant shall be responsible for keeping owner-supplied equipment and fixtures clean and sanitary and for the exercise of reasonable care in their proper use and operation.
(b) The owner shall be responsible for maintaining the equipment and fixtures in good and proper operating condition.
(4) Furnished by tenant. The tenant shall be responsible for the maintenance of equipment and fixtures furnished by the tenant. The equipment and fixtures shall be properly installed and shall be maintained in good working condition, kept clean and sanitary, and free of defects, leaks, or obstructions.
(D) Extermination.
(1) All structures. If necessary, the owner shall be responsible for extermination within the structure and on the premises before renting or leasing the structure.
(2) Single occupancy. The tenant of a structure containing a single housing unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests in the structure or the premises.
(3) Multiple occupancy. Each owner of a structure containing 2 or more housing units shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents, or other pests in the structure or on the premises except where infestation within a housing unit is caused by a failure of the tenant to take reasonable action to prevent the infestation within the housing unit.
(E) Fire safety. Responsibility for installing and maintaining in good working order any smoke detector installed pursuant to this code shall be in accordance with the state fire laws, Md. Code Ann., Public Safety Article, Smoke Detection Systems, or its successor.
(Ord. 88-34-511, 8-23-1988; Ord. 14-23-678, 11-13-2014)