Get free answers to your Landlord - Tenant legal questions from lawyers in your area.
In Montgomery County, Maryland, the schools have long allowed public parking for the local community, which is crucial given the scarce parking and surrounding multifamily households. Recently, they started enforcing towing from the school’s public property without official notice or community... View More 
I have been renting a property in Maryland on a month-to-month basis for about a year and a half now, without a lease agreement. Since living without a lease, I was not required to pay for water and sewage bills. Recently, the property management informed me that I would now be responsible for a... View More
answered on Apr 23, 2025
Generally speaking, no. In order to be liable, there would have to be a written agreement to that effect. Otherwise, it's generally assumed that utilities are included in the rent.
However, I will note that if you refuse to do so and you are on a month-to-month lease, the logical move... View More
I received a letter from my landlord stating that an additional $60.00 will be added to my rent because a landscaping company cut my grass. My grass is cut bi-weekly and did not need to be cut at that time. There was no prior notice or explanation for this service or charge. Is it legal for the... View More
I am a renter in Baltimore City, and my toilet has been clogged for almost two weeks. I notified my landlord initially two weeks ago and have contacted them multiple times, only to be told to wait for a technician. I have documented all communications, and my lease states that landlords will make... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
Two weeks is far too long to wait for a clogged toilet to be repaired, especially in a rental property located in Baltimore City. Maryland law and local housing codes require landlords to maintain habitable living conditions, and a working toilet is considered essential. If your lease is silent on... View More
I have an eviction scheduled for nonpayment of rent, but I have applied for emergency assistance, which is still being processed. I received a warrant of restitution, but my landlord never provided me with a copy of the eviction notice. My landlord is aware of the assistance application and has... View More
answered on Apr 1, 2025
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. The eviction can proceed. Sometimes the landlord might try to delay it or otherwise work with people so that they can get their money, but if they wish to proceed, they are fully within the law to do so.
I live in Anne Arundel County, MD, and have rented an apartment in a triplex for 38 years. I recently discovered that my current landlord has not had a license to rent the property for the past three years. Despite this, I've been threatened and bullied into paying rent, which I was informed... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Maryland, if you’ve been renting a property without the necessary license, you may be entitled to recover the rent you’ve paid during the period the landlord was unlicensed. Since you have documentation showing the landlord’s lack of a rental license, you can use this as evidence in your... View More
I am renting a unit in a commercial building in Maryland for my business and have experienced significant water damage due to a leaking roof. We have been notifying the property managers through email for several months, but their responses are only about attempts to fix the roof without addressing... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2025
You need to retain counsel for a lease review. Commercial leases are not controlled by consumer rental laws. The lease is usually binding, but commercial leases are often longer and complex. You need to know what your lease says, and you should have had counsel review before you signed it. That... View More
I am homeless and was sleeping in my car parked at a hotel in Edgewood, Harford County, Maryland. I was assaulted and taken to the hospital, and during that time, my car was towed without my knowledge. The towing bill is now over $3000. I've contacted the police and have a police report... View More
answered on Mar 24, 2025
That sounds like a very challenging situation. Unfortunately a tow company often has the legal right to charge per day fees for vehicles they legally tow, even though on a personal level such fees may work a significant financial hardship.
You might consider reaching out to the Maryland... View More
I received a lease termination notice from my landlord, who claims I violated the lease by having more dogs than allowed. The lease specifies no pit bulls or aggressive breeds, and my dog is an American bulldog. This is the first time I've been notified of this issue. If I vacate by the given... View More
answered on Feb 18, 2025
The simple answer is yes, but if you do so without negotiating an end to your lease, you may get stuck paying for a portion of what remains on your lease (assuming it's not a month-to-month lease at this time). I would recommend negotiating an end to your lease and getting something in writing... View More
also she was increasing the rent during this period and the property is in need of major repairs. although she has applied for a new one this month. Do I have to pay rent once DPIE denies her new license?
answered on Feb 3, 2025
Because an online post can only offer general information you may want to talk to a local landlord/tenant attorney regarding your specific situation.
Generally speaking, a landlord in Maryland can increase rents at any lease renewal UNLESS there is a specific local rule that applies. The... View More
I was illegally evicted without an official court order by the Landlords entire family. I was pregnant, high risk and baby was born preterm as a result.
answered on Jan 11, 2025
It is very difficult to know what, if any, damages may be available without knowing exactly how the eviction was "illegal." A Landlord can lawfully ask a Tenant to leave if the lease is up, or if the tenant doesn't pay, or if a lease term is breached, etc., by giving written... View More
There have been multiple car break-ins at our property and there are no security cameras present and the parking lots are not well lit. There are underage students smoking marijuana in the enclosed stairwells, there are rat issues, a homeless individual sleeping in the building's hallways, our... View More
answered on Jan 11, 2025
All of those conditions sound like a reason to consider moving at the end of a lease term, or possibly attempting to negotiate an early exit (which would require both parties to agree).
Things like a lack of security cameras and insufficient lighting wouldn't ordinarily be a breach... View More
I already rented out my home and now the mortgage company only approved me to not occupy for 6 months but I signed a 12 month lease with a tenant.
The mortgage company wants a copy of my lease but I am afraid that they will accelerate the loan if I show them it’s a 12 month lease.... View More
answered on Dec 27, 2024
I can't speak to the mortgage company issue, as I don't handle that area of law. As to whether you can make the Tenant move out early: the simple answer is no.
You can negotiate with the Tenant, but as long as the Tenant is keeping to the terms and conditions of the lease, they... View More
Hello I gave a 60 day notice to my rental office that I would vacate my unit on October 31, 2024. I moved my things out on Sunday October 27th, 2024 and left the keys in the drop box because I am moving over an hour away and it would be a hassle to return them this week. Yesterday as I was... View More
answered on Nov 1, 2024
Not really. Once you turned back possession of the premises, they were legally entitled to come in and dispose of anything remaining. The Landlord would generally be protected in this type of situation.
In Anne Arundel county
Is there anything that I can do to stop this from happening and remain living there. I read that an appeal can be done. If this took effect 10/2/24 what date is Last day to file it.
I also was told I could file something with judge grant longer stay. Can you... View More
answered on Oct 14, 2024
Generally, a failure to pay rent has a 4 day appeal period. If this happened on 10/2/24, you will not be able to appeal the ruling.
You can request a short stay of eviction, but that is dependent on the Judge and it will not be for long (ie. 30 days or so max).
My mother passed away in July. She was in housing. My father lived with her but was never on the lease. I paid her rent for July and August he hasn’t paid for September or October. The company that she was leasing with said she is still responsible for the apartment since she allowed him to have... View More
answered on Oct 16, 2024
Your mother does not owe anything, and neither do you. Your mother's estate would be the only possible entity that owes anything to a creditor. The landlord is now a creditor of the estate, assuming that your mother's death did not automatically terminate the lease and end the... View More
answered on Oct 14, 2024
In Maryland, a landlord can deduct unpaid rent from the security deposit. The landlord must provide the tenant with an itemized list of deductions within 45 days of the lease ending, and the tenant is responsible for providing a forwarding address.
I moved into my Baltimore County apartment 3 weeks ago and the sink was already partially backed up with a broken garbage disposal. I've made several different type of attempts to get the landlords to fix it, but they are taking their time. This has made the kitchen unusable for cooking as it... View More
answered on Aug 31, 2024
Maryland law requires that rental units be livable with essentials like heat and running water. Whether a backed up drain makes property unlivable or not would heavily depend on the circumstances. A single slow moving drain probably does not render property unlivable but if there were no working... View More
i have text evidence of the conversation there is also parts of the cielign falling apart in the room
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answered on Apr 16, 2024
I'm sorry to hear about your challenging housing situation. Landlords in Maryland have a legal obligation to maintain rental properties in a safe and habitable condition, which includes remediating mold issues. Here are some steps you can take:
1. Document the issue: Take photos and... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2024
It sounds like you're dealing with a very challenging situation, and it’s understandable that you'd feel frustrated and misled. If your landlord knowingly rented you a property not zoned for your business, you might have legal grounds to seek compensation for your financial losses. It... View More
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