Maryland Repair & Habitability Laws
Maryland's primary tenant remedy for habitability failures is the rent escrow proceeding — tenants pay rent into the court registry rather than to the landlord when a rental unit has conditions that pose a substantial threat to health or safety.
Last reviewed:
Key Rules
- Repair And Deduct
- Not codified in Maryland statutes
- Rent Withholding
- Tenant may deposit rent into court escrow for serious habitability threats
- Habitability Standard
- Free from conditions creating a substantial and serious threat to life, health, or safety
- Rent Escrow Process
- Tenant must file action in District Court; landlord can avoid escrow by certifying repairs
Applicable Statutes
Rent escrow: tenant may file a "rent escrow" action in District Court to pay rent into court escrow if the dwelling has a condition that is a substantial and serious threat to the life, health, or safety of occupants.
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211.1
Rent reduction: court may reduce rent proportionately for the period during which conditions creating a threat to health or safety existed.
Legal Aid Resources
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