Frequently Asked Questions
This site offers legal information, not legal advice. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information and to clearly explain your options. However we do not provide legal advice – the application of the law to your individual circumstances. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.
The state of Maryland implemented a new Maryland Tenant's Bill of Rights effective October 1, 2025. For full list of the Rights click here:
Effective October 1, 2021, before a landlord may file a failure to pay rent, the landlord must provide to the tenant a written notice of the landlord’s intent to file such a case unless the tenant pays all the rent claimed to be owed within 10 days. --more--
A landlord who moves a tenant’s belongings out of the home, changes the locks, or cuts off utilities without a court order may be criminally prosecuted and liable for damages.
A Rent Court Agent files and appears in rent court for the landlord. We are Rent Court Agents in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Calvert County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County, Charles County, Anne Arundel, Prince Georges County and Montgomery County.
Either tenant or landlord may appeal the judgment. The appeal must be made within two days of the date of judgment, and if the tenant wants to delay execution of the judgment he must post a bond.
We would need to determine who is in possession of the property. If its a squatter we can file an Wrongful Detainer. If its the previous owner, you would need to contact our office so we can review your case to see if one of our attorneys can gain possession of the foreclosed property through the foreclosure proceeding.
On the date of an eviction, the sheriff will come to the rental unit to order the tenant and everyone inside to leave. The landlord can then remove all property from the unit and put it on the public right-of-way while the sheriff supervises. Once the property is moved from the unit, it is the tenant’s responsibility. Some HOAs may hold the landlord responsible for the trash removal after 24/hours. Click for more information.
We hold a Maryland Collection Agency License, which authorizes us as a debt collector within the state of Maryland. Our NMLS ID is 2566265.
Clients can also verify our authorization by visiting the NMLS Consumer Access website (https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org/). You can find us under our parent company, Calhoun Properties Group, and our trade name, Maryland Evictions Online.
The Maryland Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) and the State Collection Agency Licensing Board (SCALB), which operates within OFR, are providing this guidance for persons who are collecting payments from tenants as part of providing “submetering” services to owners of multi-unit residential rental properties and to property managers. Generally, such businesses must be licensed in accordance with the Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Act, codified in Md. Code Ann., Business Regulation Article, Title 7.
Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Act
The Maryland Collection Agency Licensing Act (MCALA) defines a collection agency, in part, as “a person who engages directly or indirectly in the business of, collecting for, or soliciting from another, a consumer claim…” A consumer claim is defined as “a claim that: (1) is for money owed or said to be owed by a resident of the State; and (2) arises from a transaction in which, for a family, household, or personal purpose, the resident sought or got credit, money, personal property, real property, or services.” Of note, neither of these definitions incorporates the concept of delinquency; a consumer claim is not limited to a delinquent claim, and a collection agency is not limited to a person collecting a delinquent claim.
We have offices in Prince George’s County and Baltimore City. We can process evictions for several other jurisdictions, but we have to take into consideration travel time to the courts and volume of cases. If you see an “*” next to your county there will be a surcharge applied to you at checkout.
We have experience dealing with tenants that have filed for Bankruptcy protection while still in a lease. Please contact us so we can review your options. For more information about the process for handling the Bankruptcy as of Creditor/Landlord visist the US Bankruptcy web page at: https://www.mdb.uscourts.gov/
Yes, generally tenants in Maryland are entitled to interest on their security deposits. If the deposit is more then $50, and held for more that 6/months. The interest currently required on security deposits is 3% per annum
Yes, for apartment complexes or property management firms, please call for bulk pricing.
A property constructed before 1950 that contains at least once rental dwelling unit;
Yes, Maryland law requires that a tenant pays rent to the owner until there is a new owner or until the banks takes back the home.
The money judgment will usually be on the tenant’s credit for ten years and can be renewed thereafter for a small fee for another ten years. Soon after a case is filed, the tenant will usually have an unlawful detainer/eviction showing on their credit. If a money judgment is entered for the eviction, the judgment will usually appear on their credit. The money judgment is needed for any form of collections, whether it is through a collection agency or by way of a wage garnishment or bank levy.
No! You cannot turn the utilities off. Even if the utilities are past due and they aren’t paying you, you cannot stop paying them or have them turned off. Doing so will only cause you more problems in the end. These actions can be construed as retaliatory towards the tenant, especially during an eviction. Turning off the utilities could also stop the eviction entirely.
See out Resources page for other services and important information.
For more information for collecting on your judgment in the District Court of Maryland.
Due to the specialized complexities involved and our commitment to maintaining high-quality service, we have decided to discontinue handling Breach of Lease cases.