Montgomery County Council in Maryland unanimously passed legislation on July 15, 2025, to strengthen penalties for illegal, unlicensed commercial house parties open to the general public. The new bill dramatically increases fines for hosting large, for-profit parties at private residences, with code violations now subject to penalties of up to $20,000. Councilmember Dawn Luedtke, a Democrat, supported the measure as a necessary crackdown on unregulated events. This legislative action follows concerns over public safety and community disruption caused by such parties. Separately, a man who organized several notorious house parties in Montgomery County last year is currently detained without bond on charges of attempted rape and assault. In related housing news, landlords in London have been fined for unlicensed rentals and are warning of rising rents amid a shrinking supply of homes.