5284

COUNTY LOCAL LAWS

hearing, the Commission shall reverse, modify or affirm,
by written findings, opinions and orders, the action of
the Executive Director and provide a copy thereof to the
person aggrieved and all interested parties.

(12)   The issuance of the written findings,
opinions or orders of the Commission by virtue of either
the above—described hearing procedure or summary
affirmance shall constitute final action by the
Commission, and any person aggrieved by such action may
appeal to the Circuit Court for Montgomery County in
accordance with the Maryland Rules of Procedure for a
review of such action.

(13)   Pending the completion of all the rent
increase procedures required for an extraordinary rent
increase, including all appeal procedures and regardless
of whether the Executive Director has initially approved,
disapproved, or modified the request for permission to
offer the rent increase, any tenant affected by or
subject to the increase shall pay it, and if it is
finally determined that the increase is not approved in
whole or in part, the landlord who has received payment
of the increase shall refund the amount of all rent
increases not approved.

(14)   Notwithstanding any of the
administrative procedures delineated in this subsection,
the Executive Director shall attempt and be available to
attempt to conciliate any question or dispute as to the
amount of any rent increase requested or contemplated by
any landlord.

(15)   The Executive Director shall have the
authority to choose from among his staff any individuals
deemed to be competent to be a designee(s) for the
purposes of holding hearings and passing upon
extraordinary rent increase requests as provided by this
Article.

29—52. Rent adjustments; group increases;
miscellaneous tenancies and lease agreements.

a. A landlord may request permission to
offer a rent in excess of the basic rent increase to (i)
more than one tenant, (ii) any part of a rental facility,
or (iii) an entire rental facility in one request for
permission to offer a rent increase. Such a request must
be made in accordance with all the procedures delineated
in Section 29-51b of this Article, in order to permit all
the tenants affected by or subject to the proposed
increase an opportunity to participate in all the
procedures delineated in Section 29—51b. An increase in
rent may be requested pursuant to this Section to take