What is constructive eviction? An actual eviction occurs when a commercial landlord brings legal action seeking possession of leased premises from a commercial tenant, is awarded possession in Court, schedules an eviction of the tenant with the sheriff’s office, and the eviction is carried out by the sheriff. A constructive…
What is the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024? House Bill 693 made several substantial changes to existing Maryland landlord-tenant law: Nonpayment of Rent Complaints The cost for a landlord to file a Failure to Pay Rent Complaint has increased from $8 to $43 per case (plus an additional…
On April 15, 2024, Judge Richard Bennett of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland permanently enjoined the University of Maryland from suspending or preventing the graduation of Silverman Thompson client John Doe, a second-semester senior at College Park. Doe was the subject of a formal complaint…
You’ve just lost your case in a Maryland trial court and want to appeal – how do you do it? For the purpose of this article, we’ll assume your case is in a Maryland circuit court (different rules may apply if you’re in the district court). We’ll also assume your…
When are emotional support and/or service animals allowed in rental housing in Maryland? Under Maryland law, landlords are required to allow tenants with disabilities to keep emotional support and/or service dog in the rental unit, with very limited exceptions. Landlords may be able to inquire and request that documentation be…
Silverman Thompson recently represented a contractor who was hired to renovate a large residential property in Baltimore County. The plaintiff, a subcontractor, filed a lawsuit against the client’s company and the client, individually, alleging that the company and the client individually breached a contract and that our client violated the…
How can you register a rental property in Baltimore City? Effective January 1, 2019, all non-owner-occupied dwelling units, regardless of whether it is a single-family or multi-family dwelling, must be licensed and registered in Baltimore City. What are the steps to receive a rental license from the Department of Housing…
How do you remove a squatter in Maryland? When an empty residential unit or vacant buildings become occupied by a person other than an authorized tenant, they are often referred to as a squatter. Squatter law in Maryland does not allow you to remove the unauthorized person without utilizing the…
What is the Corporate Transparency Act? In 2021, Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) as part of the sprawling National Defense Authorization Act.[1] The law, which took effect January 1, 2024, “packs a significant regulatory punch, requiring most entities incorporated under State law to disclose personal stakeholder information to…
New Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law Effective October 1, 2023 Rental License Needed for ALL Eviction Cases Pursuant to Senate Bill 100, effective October 1, 2023, if a county or municipality requires a rental license, a landlord MUST have a rental license to file any of the following actions: • Failure to…
Employers must be aware of, and revise their employment-related documents to reflect, the recent changes to Maryland and federal law. One of a Company’s most powerful way to deter future litigation is by ensuring that its agreements, handbooks, and policies are legally compliant. Companies often face claims of discrimination, harassment,…
New Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law Effective October 1, 2023 Notice Requirements for Rent Increases Pursuant to House Bill 151, effective October 1, 2023, a landlord must notify a tenant in writing before increasing the tenant’s rent as follows: (1) or tenancies for a term of more than one month, at least…
Calling Law Enforcement or Emergency Services No Longer Grounds for Termination Pursuant to Senate Bill 214, which takes effect on October 1, 2023, Section 8-208 of the Real Property Article which governs prohibited lease provisions has been amended to prohibit a form of lease that limits the ability of a…
Pet Protections During Evictions Pursuant to House Bill 102, effective June 1, 2023, a landlord and law enforcement carrying out an eviction have the following obligations with regard to any action for possession of real property (nonpayment of rent, tenant holding over, breach of lease, or wrongful detainer): (1) Upon…
What do I need to do to file a Failure to Pay Rent Case in Baltimore City? Baltimore City landlords must comply with registration, inspection, and licensing requirements before initiating Nonpayment of Rent actions in rent court. Residential landlords that anticipate the need to file a Failure to Pay Rent…