Shady Side, MD asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland

Q: Can I break my lease due to anxiety and depression??

My bedroom ceiling began caving in one night while I was asleep in bed. The proper management company did come and replace the entire ceiling in my bedroom however I haven’t slept in my bed due to the constant fear of it caving in. This has caused me sleep deprivation, which is worsening my anxiety and depression as I’m sleeping on my couch which isn’t a sustainable solution. I am not confident in the structural integrity of the ceiling. Would I be able to make a case to end my lease early due to my constant anxiety/depression so that I can find somewhere I deem safe to live.?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
Answered
  • Rockville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: Real Property Code Section 8-212.2, provides in petinent part;

(b) [I]f a tenant under a residential lease meets the conditions set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the tenant's liability for rent under the lease may not exceed 2 months' rent after the date on which the tenant vacates the leased premises.

(c) To qualify for the limitation of liability under subsection (b) of this section, the tenant shall provide to the landlord before the tenant vacates the leased premises:

(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, a written certification from a physician regarding an individual who is a named party in, or an authorized occupant under the terms of, the lease that states in substantially the following form:

“I, (name of physician), hereby certify that my patient, (name of patient), is no longer able to live at his or her leased premises, (address of leased premises), because the patient has a medical condition that:

(1) Substantially restricts the physical mobility of the patient within, or from entering and exiting, the leased premises; or

(2) Requires the patient to move to a home, facility, or institution to obtain a higher level of care than can be provided at the leased premises.

I certify further that the expected duration of the patient's medical condition will continue beyond the termination date of the patient's lease, which the patient states is (termination date of lease).”; and

(2) A written notice of the termination of the lease stating the date by when the tenant will vacate the leased premises.

(d) A certification that is provided to a landlord under subsection (c)(1) of this section shall be:

(1) Written by a physician who is licensed by the State Board of Physicians to practice medicine in the State under Title 14 of the Health Occupations Article;

(2) Prepared on the letterhead or printed prescription form of the physician; and

(3) Signed by the physician.

You will need a psychiatrist to write the letter, make a diagnosis and check all the boxes required by the above code section to certify that your psychiatric condition prevents you from physically moving freely about your apartment (e.g., prevents you from entering or using the bedroom), and that the condition will last beyond your current lease term despite treatment. The above Code section requires the letter be written exactly as stated above, and by a "physician" licensed by the State Board of Physicians. There is a difference between psychiatrists and psychologists: only psychiatrists are certified by the State Board of Physicians. Psychologists (and licensed therapists) are not, despite their possibly having board certifications under their separate professional licensing boards. I doubt most medical doctors (non-psychiatrists) would be in a position to make a psychiatric diagnosis of the type you would need to break the lease. You might also try to negotiate your way out of the lease directly with the management office or landlord. You should also look into whether your local county code has any additional options for early termination based on disability.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.