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. A landlord cannot cut off your utilities to pressure you into leaving, and you have legal options to respond.
Why shutting off utilities is illegal in Maryland
Under Maryland Real Property Code Section 8-216, a landlord cannot take possession of a rental unit or force a tenant out by interrupting essential services. That includes water, heat, electricity, gas and similar utilities. This rule applies even if you owe back rent or your lease has expired. A landlord who wants you to leave must go through the formal eviction process in court. Shutting off utilities to make your home unlivable is a form of constructive eviction, and Maryland law treats it as an illegal act.
What you should do right away
Start by documenting everything. Write down the date, the affected services and the length of the disruption. Save any text messages, emails or voicemails from your landlord about the shutoff. Take photos or videos showing the conditions inside your home. Then write to your landlord and demand immediate restoration of the service. If your landlord refuses or does not respond, you have several options. You can call the police, file an emergency complaint in District Court or reach out to your local housing authority about the dispute with your landlord.
You may be entitled to damages
If your landlord’s actions forced you to leave your home or caused you financial harm, you may be able to recover damages. Maryland courts can award compensation for costs like temporary housing, spoiled food, medical expenses related to loss of heat or water and other out-of-pocket losses. You may also be able to recover attorney fees. If your landlord made the unit unlivable, you may have the right to treat the lease as terminated and stop paying rent. These claims can be complex, and the strength of your case depends on the evidence you collect and how quickly you act.