Just Cause Eviction Law Defeated
- September 16, 2025
- Landlord Law
In early 2023, a Maryland bill was introduced that would have allowed for the creation of local laws requiring Maryland landlords to provide just cause for refusing a tenant’s lease renewal. In early April, the bill died without a vote. As a result, Maryland HB 684/SB 504 did not pass the Maryland legislature, and Maryland landlords are still free to deny a tenant’s request to renew a lease without providing a reason.
Maryland landlords currently don’t have to worry about facing legal action for refusing to renew a lease. Landlords should be aware that local laws requiring them to provide just cause anyway might be a violation of their rights.
New Maryland Just Cause Eviction Dies Without Vote
Proposed changes to Maryland just cause eviction laws have been in motion since the introduction of Maryland HB 684/SB 504 in early 2023. The bill was sponsored by Maryland State Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins and Maryland State Senator C. Anthony Muse. During the process, House Bill 684 was reintroduced as HB 477, which is the name the bill died under. Throughout the process, the bill has been referred to as the “good cause” eviction bill.
The Latin term “sine die,” literally translated as “without a day,” is a legal term that refers to the end of a piece of legislation’s lifespan. Monday, April 8, 2024, was the sine die, or deadline, for HB 477, entitled “Landlord and Tenant – Residential Leases and Holdover Tenancies – Local Good Cause Termination Provisions.”
The Maryland Senate heard testimony from lawmakers, community organizations, and local renters. However, the Senate ultimately decided not to hold a vote before the deadline. As a result, the bill is no longer active. Lawmakers desiring to continue pushing for the changes proposed in the bills would now need to reintroduce the bill at a future legislative session and begin the process all over again.
Existing State Just Cause Eviction Requirements Still in Place
Under current Maryland eviction law, landlords reserve the right to deny a tenant’s requirements for lease renewal without providing a reason. Once the terms of a tenant’s lease expire, a Maryland landlord has the right to evict that tenant.
If passed, HB 477 would have allowed local city and county governments to enact eviction laws requiring landlords to provide just cause before denying a lease renewal request.
Since HB 477 died without a vote, Maryland landlords can breathe a sigh of relief. As any landlord knows, Maryland still has just cause eviction laws. For example, non-payment of rent, rent withholding, and breach of lease are all situations in which a Maryland landlord can evict a tenant legally.
However, with the passing of the April deadline, Maryland landlords no longer have to worry about the potential problem of providing a good cause before declining to renew a tenant’s expiring lease agreement.
Don’t let confusion around Maryland rental laws allow tenants to take advantage of you. Call Lusk Law, LLC at (443) 535-9715 and speak with a Maryland landlord attorney about your rights and obligations as a landlord in Maryland.
New Changes to Tenant Rights Laws in Maryland
Landlords May Have Grounds to Fight More Strict Local Laws
Maryland HB 477 wasn’t the only piece of landlord-tenant legislation making headlines in early April. While the just cause eviction bill expired without a vote, another important tenant rights bill passed in April 2024.
HB 1117/SB 946, the Tenant Safety Act, grants tenants in the same building the right to file a joint lawsuit against a landlord who hasn’t made repairs necessary for safe housing conditions. Maryland landlords should be aware of these new changes and their impact on how a landlord should navigate issues with tenants.
In addition to this new law, Maryland saw another bill related to tenant rights that also died without a vote. The proposed Tenant Possessions Recovery Act, HB HB1114/ SB0992, would have changed laws around notifying tenants of eviction and allowing them to reclaim their property post-eviction. Since this also died without a vote, Maryland landlords don’t currently have to worry about legal changes around allowing tenants to recover their property.
Maryland landlords need to stay up to date with changing laws. When strict local laws attempt to enforce policies that aren’t legally enacted through the state legislature, it’s a good idea to consult a Maryland landlord attorney. In some cases, a lawyer may be able to help prove that local laws are violating your legal rights as a landlord.
Consult a Maryland Landlord Attorney Today
Advocates For Life’s Obstacles and Opportunities
Maryland’s landlord-tenant laws are complicated. State and local laws often clash, and ongoing changes mean it’s often hard for Maryland landlords to stay updated about their legal obligations. Lusk Law, LLC handles a variety of Maryland landlord-tenant legal issues. Our landlord attorneys in Frederick, MD, can help you understand your legal obligations and guide you through challenges with your tenants.
Struggling to navigate state and local laws as a Maryland landlord? Call Lusk Law, LLC at (443) 535-9715 to schedule a consultation with an experienced Maryland landlord attorney today.