By Wendy Murphey, Member of the Huntington Tenant Association and Montgomery County resident

In Montgomery County, where my partner and I built our life and raised our children, the stability of having a secure home feels increasingly uncertain. I’ve lived in my apartment at the Huntington complex for several years. It’s not perfect, but it’s home. Yet every year, when my lease comes up for renewal, I hold my breath, wondering if my landlord will let me stay or decide that I have to leave for no justifying reason.

I’m not alone in this fear. Across Maryland, countless tenants like me live with the constant uncertainty of whether we’ll be uprooted from our homes. Unlike renters in Washington, D.C., where Good Cause Eviction laws protect tenants from being displaced without a valid reason, we don’t have those same safeguards. Here in Maryland, landlords can refuse to renew a lease without offering any justification, leaving families like mine vulnerable to sudden and life-altering disruptions.

It doesn’t have to, and should not, be this way. The proposed Good Cause Eviction legislation would give renters like me the security of knowing that as long as we follow the rules, pay our rent on time, and respect our neighbors, we can stay in our homes. It would ensure that landlords must have a legitimate reason to refuse a lease renewal. This basic protection would allow families to put down roots and plan for the future without fear of arbitrary displacement.

The lack of such protections hits especially hard for communities like Huntington. Many of us are long-term residents or want to be. We want to stay and contribute to the fabric of our neighborhood. But without Good Cause Eviction laws, we’re left in a precarious position. Our homes feel temporary, even after years of living in them. This insecurity makes it nearly impossible to plan for the future, feel invested in our communities, or truly feel at home.

I’ve asked my landlord for a longer lease, hoping for the peace of mind that comes with knowing I can stay for more than a year at a time. Every time, they refuse. Why? Simply because they can. Without a law requiring them to provide a valid reason for ending my tenancy, I have no leverage and no guarantee that I won’t be forced out when my lease expires.

This lack of security isn’t just unfair; it’s destabilizing. When families are forced to move, it disrupts their children’s education, jobs, and community ties. It creates a ripple effect that leads to financial hardship, mental stress, and even homelessness. And as Maryland faces a looming budget deficit, the state cannot afford to ignore the costs of failing to protect renters. Passing Good Cause Eviction legislation would offer a no-cost solution to prevent homelessness, reduce reliance on social safety nets, and strengthen communities by giving families of all sizes the stability they need to thrive.

This isn’t about vilifying landlords—it’s about fairness and accountability. The legislation still allows landlords to evict tenants who break the rules or misuse their property. But it ensures tenants like us, who simply want to stay in our homes, aren’t left at the mercy of arbitrary decisions. Maryland is one of only five states explicitly prohibiting local jurisdictions from passing Good Cause Eviction laws. This must change. Every Marylander deserves the security of knowing they can stay in their home year after year as long as they follow the rules. Housing is more than just a roof over our heads, it’s the foundation of our lives.

I urge our state lawmakers to pass enabling legislation that gives renters like me the security we deserve. We’re not asking for special treatment, just the peace of mind that comes with knowing we can stay in our homes if we choose to. This simple but meaningful change would make an enormous difference for families across Maryland.

This is about ensuring that families like mine can live with dignity, stability, and the comfort of knowing we have a place to call home.