If you are behind on rent or facing eviction from your home, it is extremely important that you seek help before simply moving out. There are resources available that may help you avoid eviction. Most of these resources, however, are available only while you are still living in your rental home.
Eviction is a legal procedure. The landlord cannot just tell you that you have to move, change your locks, cut off your utilities, or put your belongings out on the street. Similarly, your landlord cannot evict you simply because you have filed a complaint or a lawsuit against the landlord, or because you have joined a tenants' association. Your landlord can file a failure to pay rent action in court if your rent due date has passed and you have not paid the rent. Under Maryland law, a landlord is to provide notice before filing an eviction action.
If your rental unit has a health or safety concern that the landlord has failed to fix, you may be entitled to file a rent escrow case against your landlord. If the judge determines there is a serious enough risk to health or safety, the court will order you to pay your rent directly to the court until the landlord fixes these problems.
More general information about eviction cases is also available on the Maryland Courts' website.
If you are unable to pay your rent, you may wish to talk to your landlord about a payment plan. If you are unable to agree to a payment plan, ask if your landlord will agree that you can stay in your home until a specific date. Make sure you get any agreements you make with your landlord in writing.
Most failure to pay rent evictions can be stopped by paying the rent that is owed. If you are unable to pay the rent, or need rent assistance, seek help. You may qualify for rental assistance, which is funding that is available to tenants and landlords to help cover rent and other housing costs that are already owed and/or will be owed. A list of rental assistance resources appears below.
If your landlord files an eviction lawsuit against you, be sure to respond to any requests from the court. If you receive a notice of a court hearing, it is important that you appear on the date and time listed. This is your only opportunity to present any evidence or defend yourself against the eviction. If you fail to respond to the court or appear for court hearings, it is unlikely that you will be able to take advantage of the resources described above, and you will be at substantial risk of eviction.
Please note that you may have a legal defense to eviction. There are several free and low-cost legal assistance organizations throughout the State that may be able to provide you with legal advice and/or representation if you qualify for their services. If you plan on representing yourself in court, the Maryland Court Self-Help Center may be able to help you prepare your case. More information about the Self-Help Center appears below.
If you are unable to pay rent and believe you may be evicted, you may wish to seek financial help.
If your landlord files an eviction lawsuit against you, you will have to go to court. If you need a lawyer, call 2-1-1 Maryland and the staff will connect you with a nonprofit legal services organization (also available online at https://211md.org/).
If you plan on representing yourself in court, the Maryland Court Self-Help Center may be able to help you prepare your case. You can call 410-260-1392, visit the Help Center's website, or visit one of the walk-in District Court Help Centers located across the State. (To watch a video about the Self-Help Centers, click www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tfdnCuVnEo.)
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