Notwithstanding that your name is not on the deed, the home is your residence and you cannot be forced out against your will without court ordered eviction proceedings. If you registered your domestic partnership with the Register of Wills in your county, then you may have other rights, but... View More

First of all, removing a surveyor's boundary stakes is illegal, and reporting that behavior to the police might influence your neighbor’s future behavior. Next, a no-trespassing letter to some pissed off neighbor who has brought firearms onto your property in the past seems to be a wise... View More

A very common issue. If you have a survey, and are confident of the encroachment, offer to have your neighbor retrieve them. If they don't, do as you will.

The more serious indicator is the removal of markers. If they are pulling survey markers, that is a crime. Do they have a... View More

Maryland is a "no self-help" state, so landlord or their agents must apply to the court to evict you. Keep excellent records of your payments from third-party reliable sources, like bank-held Zelle records or bill-payer records. If you must pay in the ancient forms of cash or check, get a... View More

No, Maryland law does not obligate family members (much less former family members such as an ex-spouse) to personally pay the debts of someone who died. Of course, anyone who agreed to be personally responsible as a co-signer might be obligated but the post states neither of you were co-signers.... View More

A court is not likely to order a transfer of title, as I do not believe they can legally order a vehicle title transfer in this situation, but you can sue for the value of the car or the money you paid toward the car, and get a judgment. If you really want the car, and not money, then you probably... View More

Do you have a written agreement wherein the terms were stated (ie. I agree to pay half the rent on date X and the remainder on day Y)? If yes, then you could attempt to enforce the agreement.

However, if it's an oral agreement only, that may prove difficult. You can pay the... View More

If the restrictions are not already in your lease, and your lease is not up for renewal yet, then you cannot be required to sign the addendum; however, the landlord is not obligated to renew your lease at the end of the term. Unless you are in a public housing property, then you are dealing with a... View More

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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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