Get free answers to your Landlord - Tenant legal questions from lawyers in your area.
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
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
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
My mom has a money hungry landlord that I’m pretty sure has been reporting us for parking in front of my family’s home even though we have her permission and her rent is up to date. My mom has health problems so I need to be around as her oldest to help out but there’s no room to actually... View More
answered on Jun 22, 2023
Parking rules and regulations are typically covered in your (or your parent's) lease agreement. Additionally, if the rental property is subject to a homeowner's association, they may have additional parking rules and regulations. Further, if your vehicle is parked on a public street there... View More
answered on Jun 15, 2023
Generally speaking, yes, the Landlord must give 60 days written notice.
My tenant's washer broke in April. I immediately contacted my Home warranty program (AHS) and had a service technician come out. He said it would take 4 weeks for parts. He never contacted me back or returned my calls. I had to have a 2ns vendor come out and then they said it was a big job... View More
answered on Jun 7, 2023
They can't withhold full monthly rent for this type of breach of lease on your part, which it likely is, because the unit is not uninhabitable or made dangerous due to some unhealthy condition (in that scenario, they could petition to open a rent escrow and pay their rent into court and the... View More
I have two rental properties in Baltimore City that I wanted to lease out in October 22'. I came across an article/press release online advertising a $1,500 incentive for new landlord's who signed up with program. I begin working with the program and due to their own continuous mistakes... View More
answered on Jun 1, 2023
You want to retain a lawyer to file a suit against what is either a government agency or a public-private partnership which might have a regulatory layer that requires some specialization, and the amount of your lawsuit will be for $3,000. Is that right? The non-refundable retainer from counsel in... View More
I have two rental properties in Baltimore City that I wanted to lease out in October 22'. I came across an article/press release online advertising a $1,500 incentive for new landlord's who signed up with program with HABC (Housing Authority of Baltimore City). I begin working with the... View More
answered on May 28, 2023
Take them to small claims court and good luck. You need to consult an attorney in your local area that practices this kind of law. Thank you for using Justia Ask a Lawyer.
Plaintiff (P) stated a landlord/tenant was filed previously but was dismissed. On that particular L/T case, I asked for a postponement due to illness. But previous judge dismissed case because (P) lawyer stated a dishonest answer that I paid nothing. (P) lawyer then filed a wrongful detainer... View More
answered on May 9, 2023
It is difficult to decipher your description, but the mechanism for challenging a judge's decision is called an appeal. If you don't understand the judge's decision or how to follow the procedures of court, you might be well served to retain a lawyer for your next case or for the present appeal.
We have tried to be patient with the scheduling but many times they do not show up or its a week later. My daughter hears the rodents in her kitchen nightly! She decided to give her 30 day notice and move. The manager states she has to give 60 days notice therefore locking here into an... View More
answered on Apr 17, 2023
Generally speaking the right to get out of a lease is set by the lease.
That said, Maryland offers a procedure called "rent escrow" when a landlord refuses to repair serious issues. Although the landlord may not voluntarily let a tenant out of a lease early, if the conditions... View More
answered on Apr 17, 2023
If the lease isn't renewed, it will generally divert directly into a month-to-month lease. Provided your landlord is properly licensed and you are still living in the property, then yes, the Landlord can charge you rent.
The documents were never provided at the beginning of the lease. I requested the documents in a written letter on 3 March 2023. I still have not received the documents. I advised in the letter that I would pay my utilities once the documents were received. Another bill is now forthcoming. I intend... View More
answered on Apr 10, 2023
The code section you reference applies to ratio billing systems (in other words utilities that are not separately metered but instead allocated amongst tenants by the landlord). According to the code, certain information about same must be provided to prospective tenants before a lease starts.... View More
to not wanting to be liable if something were to happen. However, they really want the mirror to be hung. How can i go about this so that i am not liable?
answered on Mar 31, 2023
If you own the mirror, or because it was abandoned by the prior tenant you may claim ownership, then it's yours to do as you please: retrieve and dispose of it, sell it, or give it away. If you give it to your new tenant, then you should make clear you are giving ownership of it to them, and... View More
I filed a motion for continuance 3 days before my court date at the clerks office. They took it and gave me a copy but I’m not sure what the next steps are and my original court date is tomorrow.
answered on Mar 23, 2023
Unless you confirm with the court beforehand that the court date has been cancelled and postponed, you should assume that the case has not been continued. Failure to appear could result in a default against you. By rule, a motion requesting any elief must be served on the opposing party, and... View More
I rented from someone who said that I could move in quickly but I had to clean dwelling and since basement was flooded I had to do that too. My rent was discounted with utilities included for just $650 monthly. I needed a place quickly for me and my 2 teenage sons. Mail was still being delivered... View More
answered on Mar 17, 2023
You list DC as where you are asking the question, but you posted this on the Maryland forum. My answer will apply to both, except licensing of rental properties are different as well as the eviction court procedures, in each jurisdiction. It sounds as though your "landlord" does not own... View More
Notice to vacate but my realtor says I cannot end my contract because he is military. Is that correct?
answered on Mar 17, 2023
While the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provides protections for financial and legal transactions while in the military, I don't believe the Act confers greater rights than a person can have in a situation like the one you describe. If a person is renting your property, you have the right to... View More
on 3/1/23. Ordered part. On 3/6/23, part not in and still not hot water. We are up to date in rent. Is there a recourse?
answered on Mar 6, 2023
While it is well worth your money to have the lease reviewed and check the local ordinances on landlord & tenant relations in your county, as a general matter, the landlord covenants a safe and habitable residence, and hot water is a part of that. You call the landlord -- preferably after a... View More
I waited for hours and the lady from the maintenance kept hanging up on me when I called for updates.
answered on Mar 2, 2023
First off, let me quote my late, old professor of Business Law back at Penn. "Of course, they can sue. Any idiot can sue. All it takes is a pen, paper, and the filing fee … and on occasion a crayon is substituted for the pen. The question you are trying to ask is whether you can win."... View More
answered on Feb 23, 2023
If they were evicted by court process, with service of a writ of possession by the Sheriff, then their return is trespassing, and you should file criminal charges (assuming you are the landlord with the writ of possession issued to you after prevailing in the eviction action). Ordinarily, upon... View More
I discovered a mice infestation during the second week of my tenancy, it’s been almost 6 months, still the problem remains. In addition to this, there are issues with broken appliances such as the refrigerator, which has a water flow problem. There is also a leak from one of the ceilings.... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2023
Maryland law offers "rent escrow" as an option for a tenant living in a place that has serious health or safety violations. The tenant can seek different options, from having the landlord fix the problem, to asking the court to reduce rent or break the lease. It is up to the court to... View More
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... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2023
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... View More
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