Legal Actions you need to be aware of
As you may have seen in recent media coverage, two lawsuits have arisen that you as members need to be made aware of we would like to address both of them to you accordingly:
- Maryland BEPS federal compliant
As of Monday, January 13th, a diverse coalition of stakeholders, filed a federal complaint in the U.S. District Court for Maryland against the Maryland Department of Environment to challenge the newly introduced Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). This regulation threatens housing affordability by imposing excessive financial burdens on property owners, driving up costs, and exacerbating the housing crisis. Despite substantial investments in compliance, property owners will face unattainable requirements and punitive fees, making the policy both unfair and unlawful, as it conflicts with federal law under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The coalition supports environmentally responsible solutions, it opposes these overreaching regulations from the Moore Administration that threaten Maryland’s housing stability.
- Attorney General Brown v. RealPage et. al.
Announced on Wednesday, January 15th, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Prince George’s County against RealPage et. al. alleging collusion to illegally set rent prices in the state. It is worth noting that both members and non-members of the association have been named in the suit. IREMMD is currently in the process of reviewing the suit at this time, which has been hampered by Attorney General Brown’s insistence of redacting portions of the suit from the public.
If you have any questions on either of these suits, please do not hesitate to contact me.