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Offering high-quality, cost-effective representation to consumers throughout Maryland
Your rent may stay the same while your monthly apartment bill keeps growing. A utility charge appears one month, then a service fee or amenity charge adds more to the total. After several months, the amount you pay may look very different from the rent listed in your...
Debt collection pressure can be frightening, especially when calls, messages or threats start disrupting your work, sleep or family life. The federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from abusive, unfair or deceptive practices. In Maryland, state...
If a landlord is trying to make a tenant leave their home without going through the court, that is not just unfair, it may be illegal. In Maryland, tenants have important protections against “self-help” evictions, which happen when a landlord attempts to force someone...
Grieving over a dead loved one is already a difficult ordeal. The last thing that you need is the added stress of hearing from a creditor about their unpaid debts. If you find yourself in this situation, it is vital to understand your rights and obligations. You may...
A rent bill should not feel like a mystery. If your apartment balance suddenly includes vague “legal fees,” unexplained service charges or penalties you do not recognize, it is reasonable to ask where those numbers came from. Many Maryland tenants already struggle to...
Natural disasters like floods, fires or severe storms are devastating enough without the added fear of losing your home in Maryland. However, some landlords may use these catastrophic events to bypass legal procedures to remove tenants quickly. Fortunately, your...
A frozen account can leave you wondering how you will pay rent, buy groceries or cover other basic needs. In Maryland, a debt collector usually cannot restrict access to your funds simply because they say you owe money. For most private consumer debts, the creditor...
A missed payment deadline can already place pressure on your household budget, and an improper penalty can make that financial strain even worse. If you rent in Maryland, your landlord cannot impose any late fee they choose, because state law limits when these charges...
Sometimes, debt collectors take advantage of vulnerable people in Maryland to collect payments. However, state and federal laws prohibit them from using threats, intimidation or lies to pressure you. Identifying illegal behavior is the first step toward protecting...
You come home after work and the lights will not turn on. The water is not running. You call the utility company, and they tell you the account is current. Then you realize your landlord shut off the service. If this has happened to you, Maryland law is on your side....