Have you ever played a game for hours only to realize you misunderstood a crucial rule the entire time?
The stakes in property management are much higher than wasted time. Tenants can end up thinking they're stuck in a terrible living situation. Landlords can get stuck with expensive, reputation-ruining lawsuits.
Read on for five essential Maryland tenant rights that every tenant and landlord must know.
1. Right to Safe and Habitable Living Conditions
The most basic tenancy right is the right to a safe, habitable home. The property they live on must always meet the state's basic health and safety standards.
Tenants aren't stuck in uninhabitable conditions. Maryland lease regulations say that if issues remain unresolved, they can escape their lease without any penalties.
2. Access to Repairs and Maintenance
The right to a habitable home is related to a tenant's right to repairs and maintenance. It's one of the most essential landlord obligations in Maryland. They must address any issues that keep them from enjoying their home.
What if repairs aren't made? The tenant should document the issue and notify the landlord in writing.
They should follow up after a reasonable waiting period. If the landlord hasn't responded, they can take legal action.
3. Right to Privacy
Regular inspections of rental properties are crucial to keeping them well-maintained. These inspections also have to respect another one of the most important Maryland tenant rights: the right to privacy.
Landlords need to decide how often to inspect the property. The key is to ensure it doesn't become intrusive.
Landlords must also tell tenants 24 hours in advance. Renter legal rights allow them to refuse entry without this advanced notice.
4. Right to Fair Treatment
The details of a tenant's right to fair treatment are outlined in the Fair Housing Act. It's a federal regulation that affects all states.
It means that landlords can't discriminate against tenants based on:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- Sex
- National origin
- Familial status
- Disability
Tenants with disabilities must also be allowed to live with a service or emotional support animal.
Tenants who think they've been discriminated against can take it up with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.
5. Protection Against Eviction
The most important tenant protections surround evictions. There's a specific process that landlords have to go through. It includes sending an eviction notice and filing in court.
Tenant laws in Maryland are in flux, and the state hopes to enact "just cause" eviction laws. It would force landlords to also provide an appropriate reason.
Until then, a tenant who receives an illegal eviction notice can respond to the landlord. They can even contest it in court.
Take Advantage of Your Right to Easier Property Management
Understanding Maryland tenant rights is key to being a fair and successful landlord. They include habitable conditions, privacy, protection from eviction, fair treatment, and access to repairs and maintenance.
PMI Maryland Solutions is a full-service property management company. We seek to protect your investments and maximize their profitability.
We'll guide you through every step of the process, including overcoming legal hurdles. Contact us to make your property management manageable today.
