Baltimore, MD asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland

Q: can I go after my landlord for hotel fees because I don't have heat

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1 Lawyer Answer
Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
Answered
  • Crownsville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: If there is no heat due to a malfunctioning heating system or something else in the Landlord's control, a tenant can petition in court for something called "Rent Escrow." Rent Escrow basically is designed for situations where some serious / dangerous problem threatens the health or safety of the occupants (no heat should qualify) and forces the landlord to fix the problem. This is filed in District Court after the tenant has given notice to the Landlord of the serious condition.

The post doesn't indicate why there is no heat. The answer may change if say the utility company turned off the electricity in the tenant's name when the bill wasn't paid.

Tim Akpinar and Leonard A Englander agree with this answer

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