5281
MONTGOMERY COUNTY

requesting the rent increase as provided by Section 29—64
of this Chapter prior to or concurrent with filing the
request for rent increase with the Office of
Landlord—Tenant Affairs. The notice shall be accompanied
with a copy of the above—described affidavit filed with
the Montgomery County Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs,
and a statement that the holdover tenant has thirty (30)
days to file any appropriate comment regarding the
proposed rent increase with the Office of Landlord—Tenant
Affairs.

(3)    The holdover tenant or his designated
representative or any interested association or
organization in Montgomery County must file with the
Office of Landlord—Tenant Affairs any appropriate comment
within thirty (30) days of the filing of the request for
permission to offer a rent increase.

(4)    Within thirty (30) days of the filing of
the request for permission to offer a rent increase, the
landlord shall file with the Office of Landlord—Tenant
Affairs a statement that the landlord has met with, or
has, in good faith, attempted to meet with tenants or
tenant representatives, associations or organizations
representing the tenant or tenants of the dwelling units
or rental facilities which are affected by or subject to
the rent increase request for the purpose of explaining
the basis for the request. The statement must contain
specific factual information as to the nature of the
meeting or attempted meeting.

(5)    Within forty-five (45) days of the
filing of the request for permission to offer a rent
increase the Executive Director or his designee (except
as to the first and third sentences of subsection
29-51b(9), the use of the phrase "Executive Director" in
this Article shall include the designee of the Executive
Director) shall either approve, disapprove, or modify the
request by written findings, opinions and orders. The
Executive Director shall provide a copy thereof to the
landlord who filed the request, to any tenant affected by
or subject to the rent increase, and any association or
organization that filed a comment as to the request. The
findings of the Executive Director shall include a
specific finding as to hardship.

(6)    If the Executive Director determines
that he cannot make a decision as to the request, for any
reason, within forty—five (45) days, the Executive
Director may extend the time for issuing his decision by
no more than thirty (30) days. Furthermore, if the
Executive Director determines that a hearing is necessary
in order to properly make a decision as to the request,