Much of the country’s population rents or leases property rather than purchasing a home, and if you are a tenant or lessee, you have clearly defined legal rights and obligations. Your lease is a legally binding contract, and both you and your landlord should adhere to...
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Tenant’s Rights
Is your landlord retaliating because you exercised your rights?
A landlord has certain obligations to tenants under Maryland law and must fulfill those responsibilities. As a tenant, you have rights. You protested the failure of your landlord to keep his part of your rental agreement. What happens if he tries to retaliate against...
Advocates argue for changes to eviction laws in Maryland
In the last couple of years, the topic of eviction and tenants' rights has bubbled up in the news here and there. With moratoriums staving off landlords from evicting people who have since lost their income, there is a backlog of appeals from both sides of the rental...
Do you have a slumlord?
You have likely heard the term "slumlord" in movies and television shows. The entertainment industry dramatizes these situations, but they are not all wrong. Renters have a right to a safe and healthy home. Laws order property owners to maintain habitable conditions...
What are the legal obligations of every landlord?
Landlords must fulfill certain obligations toward tenants. The law enforces these rules so that renters have basic protections. The poor are most vulnerable to predatory landlords. That said, any renter could wind up in a situation that requires legal help. Landlord...
When can my landlord enter my home?
As a renter, you have a reasonable expectation of privacy, but your landlord also has a right to enter the property to perform general maintenance, provide for the safety of occupants and show the property to potential buyers. Many tenants are unclear about the laws...
Can you legally sublet your apartment?
When you lease an apartment, you do so for a specified amount of time, usually a year. But what happens if circumstances arise that make it necessary for you to move out ahead of time? For instance, you may receive a promotion that requires you to relocate. Or your...
What to do if your apartment needs critical repairs
Landlords have a legal responsibility to keep the property in a habitable condition. If the landlord or property manager fails to make necessary repairs in a timely manner, Maryland tenants may have recourse. Failure to follow the proper channels and simply...
Basic tenant’s rights in Maryland
Renting in Maryland can be tough when there is a downturn in the economy. Sometimes, tenants feel like they have to just accept landlord discrimination and retaliation in a tight housing market. In reality, you shouldn't put up with these abuses, and landlords must...
Maryland law caps rental property security deposits
Landlords in Maryland usually ask their tenants to pay a security deposit equivalent to one month’s rent when leases are signed, but they may ask for more when the tenant owns pets or has a troubled credit history. However, Maryland tenant law states that the amount...