Successful landlords are well acquainted with their state’s landlord-tenant laws. As a landlord in Maryland, you need to know the basics of Title 8 of the state’s real estate laws and stay updated on any changes. The following is a basic overview of the Maryland landlord-tenant laws:

Successful landlords are well acquainted with their state’s landlord-tenant laws. As a landlord in Maryland, you need to know the basics of Title 8 of the state’s real estate laws and stay updated on any changes. The following is a basic overview of the Maryland landlord-tenant laws:

Rights and Responsibilities of Tenants

After establishing a residential lease with a landlord, the landlord-tenant local laws grants Maryland tenants rights such as:

• xRent a property that meets the basic habitability requirements.
• Not to be evicted through legally unjustified means like being locked out or having personal property removed.
• Exercise a legal right without landlord retaliation.
• Have part or all of the security deposit refunded within 45 days after moving out.
• Break the lease agreement without penalty for legally justified reasons.
• Be provided proper notice before a rent raise.
• Be treated without discrimination based on the Maryland fair housing laws.
• Live in peace and quiet unless notice has been given as per the Implied Warranty of Quiet Enjoyment.

A tenant in Maryland is responsible for:

• Keeping the unit clean, safe, and sanitary.
• Keeping the unit habitable.
• Not causing negligent or careless rental property premise damage.
• Reporting maintenance issues to the landlord for action.
• Respecting the peace of other tenants or neighbors.
• Notifying the landlord when looking to terminate a periodic tenancy agreement.
• Making small repairs and maintenance, such as replacing burnt-out bulbs.

Rights & Responsibilities of Landlords

Maryland landlords have a right to:

• Enter a renter’s unit to perform requested or needed repairs and maintenance.
• Evict a tenant who goes against the terms of the lease, such as causing damage beyond normal wear and tear.
• Draft a lease agreement that is in line with all applicable laws.
• Enforce the terms of the lease, such as charging a late fee on late rent payments.
• Screen prospective tenants, as long as the process is fair and equal.
• Withhold part or all of the tenant’s deposit for certain justifiable reasons.
• Hold a tenant who breaks their lease without a justified reason financially liable for all remaining rent under the lease.
• Raise rent by whatever amount and do so as frequently as may be necessary.

The list of responsibilities for Maryland landlords includes the following:

• Providing the tenant with the required disclosures.
• Treating the tenant as per the laws protects tenants based on their race, sex, color, religion, disability, nationality, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and marital status.
• Providing the tenant with proper advance notice before a price increase.
• Make a reasonable effort to re-rent your vacant rental unit after a tenant breaks their fixed term lease agreement unjustifiably.
• Not trying to evict a tenant using any method other than through a local district court order.
• Keep the unit habitable, which includes making repairs promptly.
• Abide by the Maryland security deposit rules. Examples include not asking for a security deposit exceeding the equivalent of one month’s rent.

Required Landlord Disclosures in Maryland

In most states, landlords are required to provide tenants with certain disclosures. In Maryland, they include the following:

• Name and address of the person acting as the landlord or rental property manager.
• The tenant’s right to be present during the move-in inspection. This applies to landlords charging tenants a security deposit.
• Lead-based paint concentrations for homes built before 1978.
• The tenant’s obligation for utility payment to the landlord (if any).
• A statement concerning the rental property’s premises condition.

An Overview of the Maryland Landlord-Tenant Laws

The following is a general overview of the elements that make up the state’s landlord-tenant laws:

Right to Entry

As a landlord in Maryland, you have a right to enter your tenant’s rented premises. The entry, however, must be for purposes reasonably related to the rental agreement. Unlike some other states, Maryland law doesn’t specify the notice requirements for landlords. As such, you may want to specify the specific notice amounts in the lease.

Rent Increases

There is no rent control law at the state level. However, state law allows local jurisdictions to have rental pricing laws of their own. Regardless of what jurisdiction, landlords must observe certain rules. For one, as a landlord you can’t make rent increases during a fixed-term contract. Secondly, the increase must not be discriminatory based on protected classes. And thirdly, you must notify the tenant of your intentions to raise the price for their leased rental property.

Lease Termination Requirements

Under Maryland law either signing party can terminate a periodic lease after serving proper notice. The amount of notice to serve depends on how frequently a renter pays rent.

To terminate the agreement of a tenant paying rent monthly, for instance, you’ll need to provide the renter with a 60-day’ advance notice. For tenants paying rent weekly, you must serve them a 7 days advance notice. For tenants paying rent yearly, you must serve them a 3-month advance notice.

Fair Housing Laws

Landlords in Maryland must abide by the Fair Housing laws, which require fair and equal treatment of renters based on 10 characteristics. They are race, color, religion, sex, familial status, nationality, disability, gender identity, marital status, and sexual orientation. Enforcement of the laws is done by the state’s Commission on Civil Rights.

Eviction Process

The Maryland eviction process involves several legal steps designed to reclaim possession of a rental property when a tenant violates lease terms, such as failing to pay rent or engaging in prohibited activities. The process begins with serving the tenant a written notice, such as a “Failure to Pay Rent” notice, which is a prerequisite before filing a complaint in District Court.

After filing, a Maryland court date is scheduled, and if the judge rules in the landlord’s favor, a judgment for possession is issued. If the tenant still does not vacate, the landlord can request a sheriff-assisted eviction. While the system aims to protect property rights, it can be time-consuming and costly, especially if tenants contest the case or file for appeals.

Bottom Line

The Maryland landlord-tenant law offers landlords clear guidelines on how all parties signed to the written lease must behalf for the duration of a tenancy. Consequently, by understanding it, you can be sure of a smooth rental experience for everyone involved.

Do you have a question or need the services of a rental property premises manager? If so, look no further than Astoria Charm. We provide Baltimore property owners with full-service property management solutions. Get in touch to learn more!

Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided in this blog is intended for general guidance and should not be considered as a replacement for professional legal advice. It is important to be aware that laws pertaining to property management may change, rendering this information outdated by the time you read it.