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Maryland Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: My new apartment came with a backed up kitchen sink. What can I do?

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

Cedulie Renee Laumann
Cedulie Renee Laumann
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

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: My landlord rented me a property for a business and it wasn’t zoned for it ,which he knew and didn’t tell me.I lost 60k
James L. Arrasmith
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: i live in maryland the landlord refuses to remediate mold am now being forced to move. waht are my rights?

i have text evidence of the conversation there is also parts of the cielign falling apart in the room

James L. Arrasmith
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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...
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Deed Transfer for Ground Rents in Baltimore City. I have 8 registered with SDAT, but need the deed transfered to me .

The deeds are in my late grandfathers name. I have the death certificate and inventory list of ground rents.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 26, 2024

To transfer the deeds from your late grandfather's name to yours, it's necessary to go through the proper legal processes in Baltimore City. First, ensure that you are legally entitled to the ground rents according to your grandfather's will or the state's succession laws if... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Is it legal to offer a month's free rent to my tenant in my house if they were to leave

Is it legal to offer 1 month free rent for my tenant to leave before their lease is up

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 30, 2024

Offering your tenant a month's free rent as an incentive to vacate the property before their lease is up can be a legal and effective strategy, but it greatly depends on the laws and regulations that govern landlord-tenant relationships in your area. Such agreements should be approached with... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Is it legal to offer a month's free rent to my tenant in my house if they were to leave

Is it legal to offer 1 month free rent for my tenant to leave before their lease is up

Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Mar 25, 2024

Yes. It is legal to politely ask your tenant to move out, and also provide an incentive to do so. The actions you are describing are not illegal, so long as the tenant understands the he or she has the right to decline this offer. I suggest drafting up an addendum to the lease agreement, that... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: I'm being harassed and retaliated by the leasing managers, they charged me a late fee for being 500.00 short back in Oct

I noticed they did not deposit the money order I gave them in the drop box 1494.00. They only deposited 500 + 494 in October and said nothing until February 2024, having the sheriff serve me a summons for not paying rent in October 2023. That case got dismissed after I showed their attorney the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 20, 2024

In your situation, finding legal assistance is crucial to navigate the complex issues you're facing with your leasing managers. In Oxon Hill, MD, you have several options for obtaining legal help, especially in cases of harassment, retaliation, and eviction proceedings. Local legal aid... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Good morning If the landlord doesn’t have a renters license what legal action can I take or what rights do I have

Landlord is asking me to vacate property by February 29, 2024

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Feb 17, 2024

Rental license laws are local to the county (or City of Baltimore) where you live, and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Without knowing your location it is difficult to be clear on what laws apply. Also, the type of rental unit matters. Renting a room in someone’s house with a common... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Environmental and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: I was just cited From Prince George DPIE for infractions and have 2 fine for a total of $600 but was never sent a notice

I would like to know if they had to have sent a correction notice. How can I get proof of what they saw or they think was the infractions and if what they listed as infractions are infractions or are ok.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 18, 2024

If you have received citations from Prince George's DPIE (Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement) for infractions related to your property, it is crucial to review the local regulations and follow the proper procedures. Typically, jurisdictions have specific protocols for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Maryland on
Q: Seeking best course of action in attempting to leave lease where signed with roommate.Desire to leave before end of term

I am in a lease agreement where both my roommate and I have signed the lease. Living with roommate has been affecting my mental health, so I want to leave before the end of the lease term. I informed my roommate and gave her a timeline asking if it would work for her she said yes but has stated she... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 8, 2023

Consider the following potential courses of action in this situation:

Negotiate with your roommate: Communicate the impact on your mental health and express your desire to leave the lease. Offer assistance in finding a new roommate and suggest a financial incentive to encourage cooperation....
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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Eviction hearing Monday. Defendant died. What should love ones do? Time to empty house?

My dad has an Eviction hearing on Monday. He died this week before hearing? He was the only person on lease. What should we do? Notify the landlord?court? Do we have time to try to get his affairs in order?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Nov 14, 2023

If you want his personal belongings from the premises, and you do not have access to the apartment, then you will need to open an estate for your father and have Letters of Administration issued to somebody acting as Personal Representative (PR) of his estate. If he had a will, he would have... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Bankruptcy for Maryland on
Q: Just filed Chpt7 and received case #, etc. but have eviction case on Monday. How do I present district court with injunc

I need to let the Dist. Court know that I have filed for Chapter7 and halt the proceeding (eviction hearing) that is on Monday. I was told I could call in with the BR case # once filed. But the DC is now saying I need to file something with my DC case # and the BR case #, but could not tell me... View More

Martha Warriner Jarrett
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answered on Nov 3, 2023

TODAY, call the landlord's atty and give them the case number. This is really a state court question, but if you have something with the DC caption on it, make a copy of it, title it "Notice of Bankruptcy Filing" and attach a copy of the Bankruptcy Court notice of filing that's... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Bankruptcy for Maryland on
Q: Just filed Chpt7 and received case #, etc. but have eviction case on Monday. How do I present district court with injunc

I need to let the Dist. Court know that I have filed for Chapter7 and halt the proceeding (eviction hearing) that is on Monday. I was told I could call in with the BR case # once filed. But the DC is now saying I need to file something with my DC case # and the BR case #, but could not tell me... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 4, 2023

Upon filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the automatic stay that goes into effect can halt an eviction proceeding temporarily. To inform the District Court, you typically need to file a notice of the bankruptcy case, which includes your case number and the relevant information showing the stay is in... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Filing Chapter 7 in MD this week. I also have an eviction (rental) hearing next Monday. Question on letting court know

Once filed, how do I let the District Court know that I filed for bankruptcy so that the hearing does not proceed on Monday, Nov. 6th? (As of course, once you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, there is an automatic stay/injunction.)

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Oct 31, 2023

Assuming you have the Clerk's/Court's contact info from your Notice of the eviction case, the quick way is to telephone the Court/Courtroom Deputy, during working hours, and provide the name of your bankruptcy court, with the Bankruptcy Case No., and date of filing. A more reliable way... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Filing Chapter 7 in MD this week. I also have an eviction (rental) hearing next Monday. Question on letting court know

Once filed, how do I let the District Court know that I filed for bankruptcy so that the hearing does not proceed on Monday, Nov. 6th? (As of course, once you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, there is an automatic stay/injunction.)

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 4, 2023

Upon filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the automatic stay is immediately in effect. To notify the District Court of your bankruptcy filing and invoke the automatic stay for your eviction hearing, file a notice of the bankruptcy case with the District Court where the eviction action is pending. This... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: My apartment is not providing adequate pest control and after 6 months the issue is unmanageable. What can I do?

We were assured that the unit had no pest issues when we moved in 7 months ago.

Shaneka Johnson
Shaneka Johnson
answered on Jul 23, 2023

Generally speaking, any dangerous defect can be grounds for opening a rent escrow case. Rent escrows allow tenants to pay their rent to the court until the landlord fixes the problem. When the dangerous defect is an infestation tenants must show that at least one other unit is experiencing the same... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Is there notice for no right of redemption?

I had some financial troubles and long story short, I have 3 eviction notices under my belt. I have paid them off before eviction but when I spoked to the leasing office last they told me they planned on filing for no right of redemption. How does this work? Will I get a notice with a date or will... View More

Shaneka Johnson
Shaneka Johnson
answered on Jul 16, 2023

Generally speaking, the process for an eviction without the right of redemption is the same as any summary ejectment proceeding. Ten-days notice is required prior to filing the petition. Any appeal must be filed within ten days after the final hearing. Eviction is typically scheduled with the local... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Is there notice for no right of redemption?

I had some financial troubles and long story short, I have 3 eviction notices under my belt. I have paid them off before eviction but when I spoked to the leasing office last they told me they planned on filing for no right of redemption. How does this work? Will I get a notice with a date or will... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jul 18, 2023

The right of redemption is simply a right the tenant has to pay the past rent due and owing at the time of the court hearing on the landlord's action for eviction during the term of an unexpired lease for unpaid rent, which results in the action for eviction being dismissed. In Maryland, a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Can the court kick me out because I've been filed on for eviction more than once?

I'm in Ellicott City, MD. I had financial trouble and was filed on for eviction a few times. But I always paid my balance before eviction happened. Now they're saying the court can and will kick me out without notice because I've been filed on several times even though everything is... View More

Leonard A Englander
Leonard A Englander
answered on Jul 13, 2023

That would depend. If this is a failure to pay rent situation and your Landlord has gotten 3 judgments against you in the last 12 months, then the Landlord can request that the right of redemption be extinguished, at which point, yes, it wouldn't matter if you paid the outstanding amounts. Has... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Landlord - Tenant for Maryland on
Q: Can a landlord remove Commercial Tenant's Personal Property in Maryland for in paid rent without court permission?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Jul 4, 2023

They need a judment of possession, which in commercial landlord-tenant cases can happen quickly--but they still need to file a court action to get it. Once they have judgment of possession, they can enter immediately upon issuance of the writ of possession and lock the premises and hold the... View More

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