ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A sweeping new tenant protections law will soon alter how landlords and tenants must handle evictions, unit access, and pet policies in Maryland.
HB 767, also known as the Tenant Possessions Recovery Act, takes effect Oct. 1.
The measure, sponsored by Delegate Vaughn Stewart [D-Montgomery], was signed into law last spring by Governor Wes Moore[D] after clearing both chambers with strong support from tenant advocates. “These changes mean families won’t lose everything overnight,” Stewart said during a floor debate of the bill, as reported by Maryland Matters. “They would not have to deal with the indignity of their Elmo dolls and their teddy bears ending up on the street.”
The House approved the measure on a 97–41 vote, and the Senate later passed it 32–12. The tallies reflected support almost entirely along party lines, with Democrats in favor and a small number of Republicans joining them.
Under the statute, landlords must notify tenants in writing when a court issues a warrant of restitution, the legal instrument that allows a landlord to regain possession after a judgment for eviction. At least six days’ notice is required before the scheduled eviction date. Landlords must send the notice by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, or post it on the front door with a date-stamped photograph. If they have a tenant’s email or cell phone number, they must also send the notice electronically.
Tenants not present at the time of eviction will find a notice posted informing them that repossession has occurred and that they have 10 days to reclaim personal belongings. After that, landlords may dispose of or sell items, but any proceeds beyond back rent or damages must be returned to the tenant.
Warrants expire after 60 days if not carried out. Evictions may also be postponed under extreme weather conditions such as freezing temperatures, heat warnings, or tropical alerts.
The law also extends beyond evictions. Landlords must now provide written notice before entering a tenant’s unit except in emergencies, and leasing documents must clearly disclose any pet restrictions or allowances.
Tenants who can prove a landlord violated the law may seek damages, attorney’s fees, injunctive relief to recover their property, or other remedies the court finds reasonable.
Some landlords and real estate industry groups expressed concerns during the bill hearings that the new rules create additional administrative burdens and could delay property recovery. But bill advocates countered that compliance should be straightforward and ensure due process.
If landlords fail to follow the new procedures, courts can vacate eviction warrants or strike judgments until proper notice is given.
The Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County will host a Tenant and Landlord Rights Workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Gateways, 21155 Lexwood Drive, Lexington Park, Md. 20653. The session, featuring Emily Button from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, will cover tenant rights, landlord obligations, new lease requirements, and the recently enacted Tenant Bill of Rights. Seating is limited, and RSVPs are requested by Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. by calling 301-880-7074, ext. 1400.
As the Oct. 1 effective date approaches, both tenants and landlords are being urged to review the new requirements and update their practices.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
The state is now controlling contracts between renters and landlords. Wonder why folks are moving from the socialist republic of Maryland and back to the United States?
It took me over 6 months to get a houseguest who claimed tenancy out of my house! Good luck to those actually renting property.
I agree 1000%!!! Tax Moore is the WORST thing to ever happen to this state! This new law is complete and total BS! I CAN’T WAIT TO GET OUT OF THIS OVER- TAXED, DEMOCRAT RUN SANCTUARY STATE!
Those “controlling” laws have always been in place. Most things do have rules, I bet the tenants have to pay rent. Checks and balances.
What’s next? A license to operate a vehicle?
You don’t understand the actual definition of socialism either. You’re using it as conservative media has taught you. Why? Socialism, a theory, follows that of Karl Marx. Society is divided into the proletariat and the bourgeois, who profit off the work and labor of the proletariat, without fair compensation, or means of advancement.
unfortunately state comes in because neither party plays fair all the time. So, we now have to have rules or guidelines put into place to protect the rights and interests of both parties involved in the ” home ” rental contract. Hand shakes and integrity are still requirements at all times by both parties so none of the litigation is needed right???? We’re not going to be weaponizing this are we????
(“FACTS”) If the Housing industry wasn’t such a mess in first place, Big Brother wouldn’t need to interfere at all. The world has chosen to follow a system of some are real bad business people who do bad or behind the scenes things that result in catastrophic situations. If the government would allow pure capitalism, bad & shady business people will be exposed!! If the majority of people do things the right way, the shady people will stick out like sore thumbs & we should expose them, by putting out the word, to not deal with them & their business will dry up.
Every landlord I know is a decent guy ( or husband/wife team) who worked hard their whole life and stayed frugal. None are mean spirited.
The main problem, and the main reason rent is so expensive, is bad tenants: people who destroy and/or don’t pay. That’s all cost and risk for the LL. Without crappy tenants rent would be much cheaper for everyone. These laws only make renting more expensive and serve to take units off the market altogether.
It seems the commenters here are confused. All states have landlord tenant laws. Except in most states they are more to protect the tenant against unscrupulous landlords. Here they are 99% landlord. Tenants have minimal recourse. These are a feeble attempt to level the playing field.
If you were to look up the landlord tenant laws you would find that they are almost all pro landlord. It is so bad that there is only one landlord tenant lawyer in this entire area.
They can start eviction if you are 1 day late.
This is basically only giving the tenant a few more days. it seems like no one even knows what any of it means. you dont even know there are literally volumes of landlord tenant law..well here it is called that but it is almost entirely pro landlord. You really should be more concerned with that. You should also look up the terms you use..easier to.use them.correctly that way.
Lou, do you happen to know the name of the 1 tenant lawyer? I have been searching for 10 months now with all saying they are landlord attorneys. My slumlord left us all winter Nov to still not fixed no furnace inside house also didn’t do lead paint then I asked about it and had someone come in and then refused to give me results with kids in home, then came in with a druggie and scrapped the paint off the walls no protection there’s more too plus walked in without notice i called police. And told me I owe him 30k lol I need a lawyer. Getting bloodwoek for lead check this week.
You can contact the Pro Bono Resource Center to see if they can help you. Also, if the landlord is violating health and safety regulations like leaving the furnace all winter or not testing for lead paint, you can request a Rent Escrow to be set up. Once approved by a judge, you put your rent in the escrow account and it stays there until the landlord repairs the damages. You still have to pay your rent every month, but in this case it gets deposited into an account.
Do you know the name of said lawyer. Been looking for 10 months all landlord attorneys. And it’s driving me crazy got a list of wrongs from slumlord
There should be protections for both landlord and renter but when you decide to rent a property you know what you are getting into. Up until now renters were at the mercy of landlords and slum lords. What is wrong with some policy that protects an otherwise good family from loosing everything they own? That’s what’s wrong with this entire country, greed and no consideration for the common person.
Yes, greed and when wages and housing cost are extremely disportionate this situation is exasperated and housing becomes a luxury and not a basic human need.
thanks for all the helpful, info, for senior citizens.
it takes weeks or months for landlords get tenants out. You fill a court order. It cost lawyers . Landlords lose a lot of money . I will near rent again friends or family kids or someone they know
Rental housing stock will decrease due to this law. Potential landlords are discouraged from placing their property in the rental market. This will further aggravate high rents and reduces rental housing availability.
Thank your Democrat legislature for increasing your housing costs.
Yeah I’m never going to be a landlord. I agree tenants should have rights but when the renter doesn’t pay, it shouldn’t take months to evict, with the threat of being countersued. I have a nice apartment that I’ll let my kid live in. No way I’m renting it.