Maryland eviction rules for tenants

Notice for unpaid rent

Before filing for unpaid rent, the landlord must give you a written notice of intent to file, on the form made by the Maryland Judiciary, giving you 10 days to pay. It may be sent by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, posted on your door, or sent electronically if you agreed (Real Prop. §8-401(c)). After a judgment, you generally can still keep your home by paying everything owed before the eviction is carried out (right of redemption), unless the court entered 3 judgments against you for unpaid rent in the 12 months before this case (Real Prop. §8-401(h)).

Notice for a lease violation

30 days' written notice for a lease violation; 14 days if the behavior shows a clear and imminent danger of serious harm. The court must find the breach substantial and warranting eviction (§8-402.1).

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

Landlord: written notice 60 days before the end of a month-to-month tenancy or a lease longer than a week; 90 days for year-to-year. Tenant: at least 30 days (§8-402(c)). Week-to-week: 7 days with a written lease, 21 days without.

Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit

In a failure-to-pay-rent case, the summons sets trial for the fifth day after the complaint is filed (§8-401(b)(4)); you do not have to file a written answer, but you must appear at trial. Either side can appeal a holdover or breach judgment within 10 days.

Lockouts and utility shutoffs

A landlord may take possession only with a warrant of restitution executed by a sheriff or constable, or if you abandoned or surrendered the unit. Lockouts, threats to lock out, and willfully cutting heat, water, hot water, electricity or gas to force you out are illegal; you can recover actual damages plus attorney's fees and costs (§8-216).

Court self-help

The court's eviction self-help page

Law

Md. Code, Real Prop. §§8-216, 8-401, 8-402, 8-402.1

The landlord may not file or threaten eviction, arbitrarily raise rent, cut services, or end a periodic tenancy because you made a good-faith complaint to the landlord or a public agency, sued or testified against the landlord, joined a tenants' organization, or called police or emergency services. Protection covers actions within 6 months of your protected act, and you must be current on rent (unless lawfully in rent escrow). Remedy: up to 3 months' rent, attorney's fees and costs (§8-208.1).

Notice of a rent increase

Written notice before any rent increase, by first-class mail with certificate of mailing (or electronically if you chose that): at least 90 days for leases longer than a month, 60 days for month-to-month (longer than a week up to a month), 7 days (written lease) or 21 days (no written lease) for week-to-week (Real Prop. §8-209). Local laws can require more.

Rent control

No statewide rent control. Montgomery County and the City of Takoma Park have local rent stabilization, and other counties (for example Prince George's) have adopted or debated local limits; check your county's housing office.