Landlord Responsibilities

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Following is a list of questions that concern your Landlord's responsibilities regarding your tenancy.

(HB 452) Entitled: Landlord and Tenant – Summary Ejectment – Deceased Tenant

This bill permits a landlord to bring an action for summary ejectment against a tenant under lease who has died without a will and without next of kin.  (effective 10/1/08)

I know that I have breached my lease.  What does my landlord have to do with my old apartment?

Although you may be liable for lost rent, your landlord still has to "mitigate" his or her damages. (MITIGATION OF DAMAGES)

How does my landlords have to contact me, or how do I contact my landlord about concerns such as raising my rent, ending my lease, or any other issues regarding my tenancy? 

Proper notice is required for certain concerns.  That may mean a certified letter, a time limit, or certain procedures to follow to protect yourself.  (PROPER NOTICE)

What information does a landlord or rental agent have to tell me about the property I want to rent, aside from the price, and general information about the place?

Certain information about the property is not required to be given  to the renter. (DISCLOSURE BY LANDLORD)

A tenant was robbed in my development's parking garage.  The tenant did not see her attacker because there was not enough light in the garage.  Is it my landlord's responsibility to make the parking lot safe for the tenants?

Your landlord has certain responsibilities regarding the "common areas" that are on the property. (COMMON AREA RESPONSIBILITY)

I want to sue my landlord.  Who do I serve the complaint on?

Your landlord has to provide every tenant with certain information for this purpose. (INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY LANDLORD)

I filed a complaint against my landlord, and he has raised my rent.  Can he do so?-Your landlord is prohibited from doing certain things "to get back at you" for filing a complaint, or for certain other actions that you do as a tenant. (RETALIATORY ACTIONS PROHIBITED)

I pay my rent in cash, and have misplaced my receipts.  Can I ask my landlord for a record of payments?

Your landlord is required to keep certain records and receipts, and should provide you with a copy. (REQUIRED RECORDS MAINTENANCE)

I asked my landlord for a receipt for my rent.  She refused to give me one.  What can I do?

Your landlord is required to give you a receipt, and refusing to do so could make your landlord liable to you for some damages. (REQUIRED RECEIPTS)

My landlord refuses to repair my leaky roof and the cracked walkway to my apartment.  What can I do?

You may set up an Escrow account with the court placing your rent money in the court account to force your landlord to fix the conditions before you are required to pay any rent to the landlord. (RENT ESCROW)

My landlord sold my rental property to a company.  Do the new owners have to honor my lease?

Yes.  Your lease is not affected by the transfer of ownership by sale of the property. (SALE OF PROPERTY)

I was supposed to be able to move into my new apartment today, but my landlord says I have to wait until next week.  What can I do?

You have rights that entitle you to move in on the specified date in the lease, and you may be eligible for damages from your landlord if she cannot deliver the premises to you as promised. (RIGHT TO POSSESSION AT BEGINNING OF TERM)

Can my landlord enter my apartment anytime he wants, since she owns the property?

No.  You have rights to your privacy that are protected by law.  (RIGHT OF ENTRY BY LANDLORD AND TENANTS RIGHT TO PRIVACY)

My landlord dies.  What happens to my lease?

Your lease remains valid under any new owner or guardian of the property. (TENANT OR LANDLORD DIES)

My apartment building does not have a sprinkler system.  Does it have to have one?

Depending on certain factors, your building may be required by law to have a sprinkler system.  (SPRINKLER SYSTEMS)

My apartment does not have a smoke detector.  Should my landlord install one?

There are certain laws that require smoke detectors in buildings, depending on the certain factors. (SMOKE DETECTORS)

I am two months late on my rent.  Can my landlord take my personal property without my permission to make up for the rent?

Your landlord may only do so with Court approval.  There are strict requirements she must follow before she can take your property. (SEIZURE OF TENANT'S POSSESSIONS FOR FAILURE TO PAY RENT)

I am 17 years old.  Am I old enough to sign a lease?

Certain rules prevent minors from entering into most contracts, including leases, but minors may still be held responsible for certain expenses. (WHEN THE TENANT IS A MINOR)

My landlord has Court permission to evict me today, but a snowstorm is predicted to happen.  Can my landlord evict me anyway?

You may be entitled to stay until the weather improves. (WEATHER RELATED EVICTION POSTPONEMENT)

My landlord wants me to move out at the end of my lease, even though I want to sign another lease.  What does she have to do?

Your landlord has to follow certain guidelines before she can terminate your tenancy. (TERMINATION OF TENANCY BY LANDLORD)

My neighbor makes loud noises in the middle of the night, and has parties almost ever other night, which lasts until early in the mornings.  I have complained to my landlord several times, but the parties and the noise have not stopped.  I want to move out, but my lease term is not over yet.  Can I move out?

You may be able to move out without being responsible for rent if certain factors are met. (QUIET ENJOYMENT AND CONSTRUCTIVE EVICTION)

Last date of legal review 9/25/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)

Source: Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN), updated by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).