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.
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
Some citations below have not been confirmed against their official source. Confirm current requirements with local legal aid or an attorney.
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.
Not confirmed against its source · checked
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.
Not confirmed against its source · checked
Legal Aid Resources
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