Eviction in Maryland: What Landlords Need to Know
- September 27, 2025
- Landlord Law
Leasing a property can be an excellent way to make passive income. If everything goes smoothly and the tenants comply with the agreement, you can collect rent every month without needing to do much more than provide property maintenance. But what if a tenant breaches their contract? Does that give you grounds for eviction in Maryland?
By understanding landlord rights and the reasons for which you can evict tenants, you can avoid serious legal issues and potential litigation.
At Lusk Law, LLC, our landlord/tenant attorneys provide the guidance landlords need. With our experience and dedication, we can help you address any disputes that arise with tenants and protect your business interests.
Get in touch with our team today at (443) 535-9715 to learn more about our services.
Grounds for Eviction
Understanding When You Have the Right to Act
In Maryland, landlords have the right to evict tenants for a variety of breach-of-lease issues. Here are some of the most common reasons for eviction encountered by our Landlord/Tenant attorneys:
Failure to Pay Rent on Time
Failure to pay rent, either on time or at all, is the single most common cause of evictions in the state. Rent is late the moment after the due date.
That said, if the lease agreement provides a grace period, landlords must respect it before taking any action. Also, if the tenants are able to pay all of their back rent before the eviction takes place, the landlord is no longer allowed to evict them for that reason.
Breach of Lease Agreement
An eviction can also take place if the tenant has breached the lease agreement. This can involve such actions as:
- Damaging the property
- Performing illegal activities on the premises
- Keeping animals in pet-free properties
- Smoking (if it’s not allowed)
- Bothering other tenants.
In some cases, landlords must provide tenants with a 30-day notice to cease the breaching action. However, if the activity in question is dangerous, they have to give tenants at least 14 days’ notice of the breach and an opportunity to cure.
Lease Non-Renewal
Maryland doesn’t allow landlords to evict anyone from a property without having a legitimate reason. If you’re not happy with your current tenants, one thing you can do is let them know you won’t be renewing their lease. This requires timely notification.
The specific type of lease you have will dictate the kind of notice you must provide your tenants. For example, if you have a month-to-month tenancy, you must send a 60-day notice. If the tenant doesn’t vacate the property when their lease is up, you have a right to evict them.
At Lusk Law, LLC, we have abundant experience representing landlords in tenant disputes. We’re property owners ourselves, which gives us unique insight into the challenges you face.
The Eviction Process in Maryland
The eviction process begins with the landlord notifying the tenant of the basis for the eviction, whether for non-payment, breach of lease or end of lease term. It’s essential to make sure they receive the notice in a timely manner. Otherwise, you could face repercussions for violating their rights.
If the tenant doesn’t leave the premises as required, you can file an official complaint with the District Court. The complaint should include the tenant’s name and a full description of the property, as well as the amount of rent due or the reason for the eviction.
The next step is to attend an eviction hearing, which gives the tenant a chance to respond to the claim. They may have the opportunity to appeal, as well.
If you receive a judgment for possession, depending on the type of eviction claim, the tenant may have an opportunity to stay in the property, if the tenant pays the rent owed. If the Tenant does not redeem or they have no opportunity to redeem the property, you’ll receive a warrant of restitution, which lets you take your property back. The sheriff will be present to physically remove the tenant from the premises if needed.
Landlord’s Responsibilities and Best Practices
For the process to go as smoothly as possible, it’s critical that you follow all of the relevant laws surrounding evictions. If you don’t stick to the appropriate timelines, for example, the tenant can legally challenge the eviction. This can make the process longer and more complicated.
Make it a point to keep meticulous records of everything related to the tenant and their eviction, along with all communications you’ve had with them since issuing the eviction notice. Making efforts to speak with them to let them know what legal steps you’re considering can serve to avoid more serious disputes.
Perhaps most importantly, you’ll need to hire a lawyer to guide you through the legal process. With experienced representation, you can avoid common pitfalls that might otherwise further delay the process of getting your property back.
Tenant’s Rights
Tenants have specific rights under Maryland law. For one thing, they have the right to cure the breach, which means they can try to pay the rent they owe. If they do so, you don’t have a legal right to evict them. Tenants can also defend themselves in court during official hearings. They may present evidence that refutes your claims, thereby challenging the eviction.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that Maryland tenant rights protect leaseholders from retaliatory eviction. It’s against the law for a landlord to evict a tenant in response to the tenant’s asserting their rights.
Protecting Landlords in Maryland
Seeking Reliable Representation
We know how difficult it can be to deal with tenants who aren’t living up to their lease agreements. You could be facing financial hardship because of such issues, in addition to high levels of stress. Working with a lawyer who can help you take the necessary steps to evict a problematic tenant is a logical solution.
The knowledgeable attorneys at Lusk Law, LLC, can assist you in overcoming all of your real estate law challenges. We’re advocates for life’s obstacles and opportunities.
Contact our team at (443) 535-9715 to schedule an initial consultation.