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Everyone here at the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) wishes MHIC licensees, their families and friends a happy and safe new year!
The MHIC understands the effort you put forth to build your brand and promote your business. As an MHIC license holder, not only your name but your MHIC license number is an important part of your brand. The consumer views an MHIC license as a source of confidence that he or she is dealing with a professional because it means the home improvement contractor has met the state of Maryland licensing and insurance requirements. Additionally, an MHIC contractor license means the homeowner is protected by home improvement law. Display your MHIC number with pride.
Home improvement law requires that all MHIC licensed contractors include their trade name and MHIC number on all advertising. Advertising includes but is not limited to business cards, print and e-mail advertising, company websites, social media sites, and television and radio advertisements. The company’s MHIC number is required to be displayed on both sides of all company vehicles. The designation, “MHIC #,” must be at least 3 inches in height.
Get Help in Seeking Financial Relief from the Pandemic
Now that 2020 is firmly behind us, the staff of the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing hopes you have a healthy and prosperous 2021. As we mark nearly a year of serious disruption to our lives due to the pandemic, we know that no one is immune to COVID-19’s lasting effects.
Besides our daily commitment to providing outstanding customer service, we aim to distribute information about any sources of help we can recommend to our licensees. The ongoing public health crisis has left many of us struggling to recover in every facet of our daily lives. Families have endured the loss of jobs and businesses or the reduction of wages and/or working hours. Savings accounts have been depleted. Many are struggling to pay for housing, debts, loans, education and medical care. Since the pandemic has impacted the financial standing of so many Maryland families, it may be useful for us to share some of the consumer services offered by our agency’s Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation (OCFR).
OCFR serves as Maryland’s consumer financial protection agency and financial services regulator. They are responsible for supervising certain businesses in the financial services industry to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, including mortgage lenders, mortgage brokers, mortgage servicers, mortgage loan originators, check cashers, money transmitters, consumer debt collection agencies, consumer lenders, installment lenders, sales finance businesses, credit services businesses, debt management companies, debt settlement companies, credit reporting agencies, and Maryland state-chartered banks, credit unions and trust companies. OCFR also has a Student Loan Ombudsman to support Maryland student loan borrowers.
OCFR provides resources to Maryland consumers and to the financial services businesses and individuals it regulates by providing timely guidance to industry, information on consumer protections, and investigating complaints of questionable business practices involving supervised financial service businesses operating in the state.
See below for links to resources on OCFR’s website, including resources for COVID-19 financial relief programs:
COVID-19 Consumer Resources
COVID-19 Industry Resources
COVID-19 Financial Relief Guide for Marylanders (pdf)
Maryland Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights (pdf)
Maryland Student Loan Ombudsman (pdf)
What Account is Right for You? Account Ownership and Survivorship (pdf)
"Pay Day" Loans: What You Need to Know as a Maryland Consumer (pdf)
Debt Management Service Providers: What You Need to Know as a Maryland Consumer (pdf)
Check Cashing Services: What You Need to Know as a Maryland Consumer (pdf)
Reverse Mortgages: What You Need to Know as a Maryland Homeowner (pdf)
Foreclosure: What You Need to Know as a Maryland Homeowner (pdf)
Información para los propietarios de vivienda de Maryland (pdf)
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