The Maryland Landlord-Tenant Act
The Maryland Landlord-Tenant Act, contained in Real Property, Title 8 of the Annotated Code of Maryland (ACM), outlines the responsibilities and rights of both landlords and tenants with regard to residential rental property. The state mostly defers to the rental agreement between both parties and sets few restrictions on the ability of a landlord to evict a tenant. If a landlord breaks the law, a tenant can press charges in local court or contact his local branch of the Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
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Conditions
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Under Maryland law, a landlord must repair any serious defects in a rental unit, such as damaged electrical and plumbing, broken heating and cooling systems, rodent infestation and serious structural problems. If a tenant stops paying rent because the landlord has not fixed a hazardous rental unit, the landlord can evict the tenant. A tenant can place rental money into an escrow account after providing notice of the defects and and notice of failure of the landlord to fix the problems. The renter can receive this money back if the landlord refuses to fix the defects.
Termination
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The Maryland Landlord-Tenant Act does not set limits on the amount of notice that a renter must provide to his landlord. The tenant must follow termination clauses contained in the rental agreement by giving the appropriate amount of advance notice in writing to his landlord. In addition, he must provide his landlord with proper notice to cancel a lease if the lease automatically renews. A tenant who breaks a lease early will pay all rental payments associated with the remaining term of the lease.
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Deposits
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Landlords can collect a security deposit or surety bond equal to two months rent which covers damage to the property and must provide to the renter a written receipt of the deposit. The landlord must return the tenant's security deposit with interest within 45 days after the end of tenancy, or the tenant can sue for three times the amount plus attorney fees under the Maryland Landlord-Tenant Act. The landlord can keep sums from a security deposit to cover any damage to the property during the tenant's stay excluding normal wear and tear.
Eviction
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A landlord can evict a tenant who does not pay her rent, and Maryland law does not require the landlord to provide a notice period for the tenant to become current on her rent. A tenant must move out when her lease ends, or she will be removed from the property by law enforcement. A landlord can terminate a renter's lease at any time as outlined by the rental agreement but must provide 30 days' notice if the renter broke the terms of the rental contract. A landlord cannot verbally or physically harass a tenant or cut off utilities if the tenant does not move out. The landlord must obtain a court order for eviction, and a police officer or county sheriff will force the tenant to vacate the property.
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