Howard county requires a rental license for rental properties, so there is an application process and the property will need to be inspected by county inspectors. You will also need zoning approval for a basement “accessory apartment “. Some zoning districts in Howard county do not allow accessory apartments and some properties do not meet the requirements to have an accessory apartment. So before you do anything, you need to make a trip to the county offices @ the George Howard Building and talk to zoning and Department of inspections licenses and permits.