Access to Counsel in Evictions Gets Legislative Funding Through 2027

September 16, 2025
Landlord Law

Maryland landlords may now have a harder time than before when it comes to evicting tenants for failure to pay rent and other lease violations. Maryland bill SB0756 extends funding for providing tenants who can’t afford a lawyer with legal representation in eviction proceedings.

The bill extends an initiative that began in 2021. The extension implies that the added challenge to eviction faced by Maryland landlords isn’t going anywhere — and it may eventually become a permanent fixture.

Maryland Bill SB0756 Extends Funding for Tenants Facing Eviction

Free Legal Services for Maryland Tenants

In September 2021, Maryland became the second state in the U.S. to ensure tenants had a “right to counsel” in eviction proceedings. This change was enacted in HB18. Maryland landlords may already be familiar with this bill, as it simultaneously changed the laws around eviction proceedings. In addition to requiring landlords to give formal notice before filing for eviction, the bill also set aside funding to be used for legal counsel for tenants who face eviction but cannot afford a lawyer.

The new bill allocates $14 million each year for providing Maryland renters with access to free legal representation during the eviction process.

Maryland bill SB0756 extends funding for these legal services from 2024 through 2027. Initially, the bill was phrased to make this funding permanent. In its final form, it was instead modified to extend from 2024 to 2027. The bill requires that $14,000,000 in abandoned property funds be distributed from the Maryland Comptroller to the Access to Counsel in Evictions Special Fund.

What Is the Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force in Maryland?

The Access to Counsel in Evictions Task Force was created as a part of the 2021 HB18, which introduced funding for tenant legal services in Maryland. Key duties of the task force include:

Identifying potential sources of funding
Making recommendations to improve the program’s implementation
Recommending policy and statutory changes in support of the program
Evaluating the provision of services under the program.

In the January 2024 annual report, the task force recommended that landlords include phrasing in rental agreements letting tenants know they may have access to eviction counsel through the Access to Counsel in Evictions program.

Are you a Maryland landlord beginning the eviction process? It’s now harder than ever to successfully evict a tenant in Maryland. Call Lusk Law, LLC at (443) 535-9715 to learn more about how an experienced Maryland landlord attorney can help.

What Tenants Qualify for Free Legal Eviction Services?

Not all Maryland tenants qualify for free legal services under Maryland SB0756. The terms of the program offer legal representation to eligible Maryland renters for landlord-tenant legal issues that include:

Failure to pay rent
Breach of lease
Tenant holding over
Voucher/subsidy termination.

The program also informs tenants that lawyers are available at no charge to assist with other renter concerns, using the example of a landlord pressuring tenants to relocate by shutting off utilities.

The program is currently available to all Maryland renters with a household income at or under 50% of Maryland’s median income. The program also offers free assistance in determining eligibility. The most recent figure available is from the U.S. Census Bureau for 2018-2022, with the Maryland median household income sitting at $98,461. With eligibility requiring that tenants have an income of 50% or less of this figure, tenants with a household income of less than $49,461 should qualify for the program.

Implications for Maryland Landlords

Landlords Will Likely See Greater Costs Associated With Eviction

No landlord wants to have to evict a tenant. It’s more cost-effective and less stressful to rent to tenants who pay their rent on time and respect the terms of a lease. Unfortunately, most landlords eventually run into problems with certain tenants. If you’re a seasoned Maryland landlord, you may have a solid grasp on the eviction process. You may have also gone through this process with feeling the need to hire a landlord attorney to handle the eviction.

The legal landscape in Maryland has changed significantly. Now, when a landlord goes to evict a tenant, there’s a good chance they’ll be going up against an experienced tenant rights attorney in court.

The Access to Counsel in Evictions program makes it much more challenging for a landlord to evict a tenant, even when they have valid grounds for doing so. According to the program’s most recent report, 76% of tenants who used the program’s lawyers avoided eviction. Landlords are likely to see higher legal costs and a lower rate of successful evictions through 2027, and possibly for much longer if the funding is extended again.

Consult Our Maryland Landlord Lawyers Today

Advocates For Life’s Obstacles and Opportunities

If you’re a Maryland landlord considering eviction, Lusk Law, LLC can help. Our experienced landlord lawyers in Frederick, MD can meet with you to discuss your tenant issues and assist you with eviction proceedings.

Call Lusk Law, LLC at (443) 535-9715 to schedule a consultation with a Maryland landlord lawyer today.