As a tenant in Maryland, you may wonder about your rights and limitations when it comes to decorating the exterior of your rental property. While personalizing your living space is essential, understanding the extent to which you can display decorations outside your...
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Tenant’s Rights
Recovering illegally withheld security deposits in Maryland
Landlords request security deposits to protect against any damages or unpaid rent at the end of a tenancy. However, some landlords in Maryland may illegally withhold a tenant's security deposit for unjustified reasons. If you find yourself in this situation, it is...
What can a landlord evict you for?
The threat of eviction is enough to make anyone's blood run cold. Fortunately, there are plenty of laws in place that stop landlords from having the power to evict anyone for any reason. Thus, it is important for tenants to understand what landlords can and cannot...
Your tenants’ rights checklist
While some landlords might accept an oral agreement, most will require a written contract. Before signing this, you need to read it carefully. You can talk to your new landlord if you need to change anything. You can then figure out how to reword the contract to...
Understanding the laws regarding 3 common renter costs
Renting allows for more frequent moves and less financial attachment to your location. However, moving gets expensive especially when there are extra fees involved. Understand the basics of your rights when moving in and out of a location to ensure your landlord's...
Legislation would enforce landlords’ responsibility for bed bugs
The state of Maryland faces a bed bug crisis. Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on blood. They do not spread diseases, but their bites cause painful, itchy skin lesions. Some people have allergic reactions to bed bug saliva and, in a severe infestation, bed...
Reporting Rental Payment Information to the Credit Bureaus Has Drawbacks
Reporting rental payment information to credit bureaus has drawbacks, especially for lower income renters. The National Consumer Law Center has published a paper on the issues presented when rental payment information is automatically reported to the credit bureaus.
Landlords cannot legally take these 3 actions
The landlord-tenant relationship has the potential to be complex. There are both personal and legal considerations and spoken and unspoken obligations on both parties' sides. As a result, there is also the possibility of conflict, particularly when landlords fail to...
What can I do if my apartment is unsafe?
As a tenant, you have the right to safe living conditions. The apartment you rent should meet all safety standards. It should be in good structural shape and also be in good repair. Sometimes a landlord will fail to maintain your apartment and it becomes unsafe. What...
Is your carbon monoxide detector working properly?
Not having to worry about upkeep is one of the primary reasons to rent rather than purchase your own home. Consequently, you should be able to count on your landlord to maintain your rental unit. This may include occasionally inspecting your home and appliances for...