I AM A TENANT
A notice on the door is not the end of the story.
Understand the notice and your defenses. Rent escrow, redemption, deposit recovery, and your right to counsel, explained clearly.
WHAT THIS PAGE COVERS
Four things, done right.
The Notice & Your Defenses
Equip yourself with every tool at your disposal based on your notice.
Rent escrow, Redemption
Make the court hold rent until repairs are made. Pay what is owed and stay, even after filing.
Deposit recovery
Recover up to three times if it is withheld.
Right to counsel
Free representation if you qualify.
THE NOTICE & YOUR DEFENSES
Read the notice, then your defenses.
Failure to pay rent.
A broad right to redeem, even after filing.
Breach of lease.
You may have a 30 or 14-day cure period.
End of tenancy.
The landlord owed you correct notice first.
Defenses that win.
No license, bad notice, retaliation, deposit over cap.
ESCROW · REDEMPTION · RECOVERY
The remedies on your side.
Rent escrow.
The court holds rent when serious repairs go unfixed. RP 8-211.
Redemption.
Pay the balance and stay, with a narrow repeat exception.
Deposit return.
Itemized within 45 days, or recover up to three times.
No self-help.
Lockouts and shutoffs are illegal. The sheriff is required.
DEPOSIT RECOVERY · CALCULATOR
Security deposit math.
Treble damages are real.
Answer five questions and see an estimate of what you may be owed. Basis: Maryland Real Property 8-203.
RIGHT TO COUNSEL
You may not have to face it alone.
Access to Counsel in Evictions
provides free counsel to qualifying tenants.
Baltimore City Right to Counsel
covers income-eligible residents.
Maryland Legal Aid
and the Public Justice Center can step in.
We point the way
even when DK Law is not the right fit.