Common area and individual unit renovations at The Metropolitan are expected to begin in July 2025. Unit renovations will be performed in phases where units will be divided into vertical subsections or Tiers, by riser locations and will be conducted in seven (7) phases with multiple Tiers in each phase. The renovation will begin in the Tiers with units that end in 33 and 32 and will continue to rotate through the building with staggering starting and completion dates.

Each phase of work will consist of the renovation of approximately 44 units and will last about 90 days. You will be notified in writing of your anticipated move date at least ninety (90) days before your required move date and you will be provided with a 30-day notice that will include your temporary unit address. HOC’s Relocation Coordinator will provide additional information about preparing for your move and your scheduled move date.

Renovations will take approximately 90 days for each phase and the work is expected to continue through the end of 2027.

Contractors will be arriving on site at approximately 7:00 AM Monday through Friday and work take place from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. If there is a problem with a worker, please contact your Community Manager at your earliest convenience with details about any issues. Contact information is provided below:

Leonard Stewart
Community Manager
The Metropolitan
301.652.1555
metropolitan@bozzuto.com

Mailboxes will be accessible at all times. Temporary mailboxes may be setup while the mailroom is undergoing renovations.

The renovation will include new kitchens fitted with new Energy Star rated appliances, new cabinets and countertops, renovated bathrooms with new fixtures and low flow toilets, new flooring suitable for residents with any range of mobility impairment, and new energy-efficient and modernized lighting.
 
Building exterior and common area renovations will include new and upgraded lighting, windows and doors and improvements in all common areas and amenity spaces (new furniture, flooring, finishes, fixtures and paint).

Each phase of the renovation will be confined to specific areas of the building at a time. This plan will limit the proximity of the contractors to residents of other occupied units. In addition, contractors will do a daily cleaning of the jobsite and any common areas that may affect the residents and staff.

Please feel free to contact your Community Manager at the phone number or email address provided above.

If your Reasonable Accommodation is approved, the construction team will implement the modifications into the final unit you are going to be moving into as part of the renovation process. If you are staying in a temporary unit, staff will work to locate one that is pre-equipped to handle the Reasonable Accommodation. Please note, not all temporary units will be able to accommodate everyone’s Reasonable Accommodation. The owner is responsible for only providing those on a permanent basis. Please feel free to contact your Community Manager at the phone number and email address provided above if you have questions or concerns about your approved Reasonable Accommodation in your temporary or renovated unit.

The Metropolitan will be enrolled in a new Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program because the existing Tax Credit Program has ended. In order to comply with the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program requirements, all residents currently in the LIHTC Program must complete a current eligibility certification packet to determine ongoing eligibility for the program.

The Low Income Tax Credit Program is one of the federal government’s primary policy tools for encouraging the development and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing as it helps create affordable apartment communities with lower than market rents.

Staff is currently analyzing the potential rent increases due to the renovation of the The Metropolitan Apartments. However, HOC follows the Montgomery County Voluntary Rent Guidelines, which establish limits on guidelines regarding rent increases for existing residents (VGR Increase). If you stay in your unit or transfer to a comparable unit (e.g. same bedroom count, LIHTC or Market unit, etc.), your rent will not change and future rent increases will remain subject to the VRG.

Yes, you will continue to pay your rent as you currently do according to your lease.

Yes, you will continue paying electric utilities as you currently do. The property will continue to pay water, sewer, and trash removal expenses. You will continue to be responsible for non-essential utilities such as telephone, internet and cable service.

Please contact your Community Manager at the phone number or email address provided above.

During renovation, residents of units in each phase will be moved temporarily to vacant units elsewhere on the property, to other HOC properties in the area, or to an extended stay hotel only when a temporary unit is not available. HOC staff will work with each family to find the best temporary housing options to meet their needs.

Residents may choose to stay with family, friends or in an offsite location during the renovation of their unit. All furniture and personal belongings must be removed from the unit and they will be placed in storage with one of our moving companies. HOC will not coordinate the move of furniture or personal items to locations outside of the HOC provided temporary housing options. Please notify your Community Manager as soon as possible if you are choosing this option.

In most cases, residents will be able to return to their original unit following the renovations. When possible, residents may also choose to move one time to a renovated unit to avoid having to move two times – once to a temporary unit and then a return move back to the original unit.

Residents will sign a Temporary Occupancy Agreement for the temporary units and the original lease will remain in effect during the temporary relocation period.

You will not be required to pay the utility bills in your temporary unit during the renovations. However, you will need to maintain utility service and continue to pay the utility bills in your original unit during the renovation period. HOC will also reimburse you for any fees for relocating your telephone, cable and internet service to the temporary unit and your return to your original unit. You can submit a copy of your entire bill showing the relocation charges to your Community Manager for reimbursement.

Staff will be available as needed to assist with coordinating the transfer of telephone, cable and internet service.

You do not have to change your address while you are residing in a temporary unit. You can continue to pick up your mail in the same mailbox. If you permanently move to a different unit with a new address, you will need to submit a Change of Address with the United States Postal Service.

HOC will provide boxes and all packing supplies required for your move. Once your tentative move date is determined, HOC’s Relocation Coordinator will do an assessment of your unit and schedule the delivery of boxes and packing supplies. If additional moving supplies are needed, you can contact The Metropolitan Community Manager and additional supplies can be delivered to you prior to your move.

Packing assistance will be provided when requested for elderly and disabled residents. Please contact your General Manager prior to your move date to request packing assistance.

Residents will not have to pay any costs associated with their temporary or permanent moves onsite or temporarily to offsite units for renovation. HOC has several licensed and bonded moving companies under contract and HOC will coordinate and pay for all moves and packing supplies required for the moves.

All of HOC’s contracted moving companies are fully licensed and insured. Their storage facilities are climate controlled.

Questions regarding moving can be directed to your Community Manager who will work with the Relocation Coordinator and the project team to provide additional information as needed.

To be clear, you will not be required to permanently move from The Metropolitan because of the proposed work.

Per Montgomery County regulations, you may be entitled to relocation assistance if you decide to vacate your unit permanently.

Pursuant to Chapter 53A of the Montgomery County Code and executive regulations enforcing Chapter 53A, you are eligible for relocation assistance from the owner of The Metropolitan.

You are entitled to a payment by the owner in an amount equal to two (2) months’ rent if:

1. you agree to move out of your rental housing within 180 days after you receive the Notice of Conversion; and
2. you are current with rent at the time the relocation assistance is paid to you.

To receive the relocation assistance, you must give your landlord at least thirty (30) days written notice that you intend to terminate your lease and provide the landlord with the date that you will leave your rental housing.  The date that you vacate your rental housing must be no later than 180 days from your receipt of the Notice of Conversion.

The landlord must pay you the relocation assistance within ten (10) days of receiving your notice to terminate the lease if you are current on your rent. You must continue to pay rent to the landlord from the time you receive this notice until the time that you vacate the rental housing.