We Process Evictions for Montgomery County

Montgomery County Eviction Process

If you’re a landlord facing a rent dispute or a non-paying tenant, understanding the Montgomery County Eviction Process is the first step. Our team provides professional eviction help in Montgomery County to ensure every step  from filing to sheriff-led enforcement  complies with Maryland law.

We handle everything: from rental license applications to filing your court case. Whether you manage a single-family home, condo, or apartment complex, we’ll guide you through every stage of the process.

Steps in the Montgomery County Eviction Process

1. Ensure Compliance – A Valid Rental License Is Required. Without it, your case may be delayed or dismissed by the court.
2. File a “Failure to Pay Rent” Case – The filing fee is $305.
3. Court Proceedings – A hearing date allows both the landlord and tenant to present their case.
4. Sheriff-Led Eviction Enforcement – Only the Sheriff’s Office can carry out evictions in Montgomery County.

Our Eviction Services Include:

• Preparing and filing the “Failure to Pay Rent” form.
• Sending a collection letter to the tenant.
• Representing landlords in court.

How to Evict a Tenant in Montgomery County

When learning how to evict a tenant in Montgomery County, it’s important to follow each legal step carefully.
Here’s what you need to know:

1. Verify Rental License Compliance – Before filing, ensure your property has a valid Montgomery County Rental License.
2. File the Eviction Case – Submit the Failure to Pay Rent form and pay the required filing fee.
3. Attend the Court Hearing – Present your case before the District Court Judge in Rockville.
4. Request Sheriff Enforcement – If the tenant fails to vacate after judgment, the Sheriff’s Office will complete the eviction.

Our experienced team can guide you through each step and handle all filings for you.

Montgomery County Rental Licensing Requirements

• Can you start an eviction without a license? Technically yes  but a valid Montgomery County Rental License is required to move forward in court.
• Temporary License Availability: Same-day processing is available.
• Rental License Fees
  • Class II (Single-Family Home, Townhouse): $101/year
  • Class I (Condominium): $59/year
• Our License Processing Fee: $125 – We manage the Rental License Application for you.

Who Must Be Licensed?

Under Chapter 29 of the Montgomery County Code, all property owners must be licensed before renting out their property.

Exemptions Include:

• Owner-occupied homes
• Units occupied by relatives

Note on Room Rentals: If the owner lives on-site, a rental facility license is not required.

Rental Housing Licensing Application – Click Here

Rental Licensing Process

The Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) handles the Rental Licensing Process through its Licensing and Registration Unit.

Steps to Obtain a License

Submit a Rental Facility License Application
Pay the annual license fee
Follow lead-based paint regulations (if applicable)

License Renewal: Automatically renewed annually from July 1 – June 30.

Lead-Based Paint Compliance

Properties built before January 1, 1950, must comply with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.

Required Certifications:

• Lead-Free Certificate
• Limited Lead-Free Certificate
• Full Risk Reduction Certificate

MDE Contact: 1-800-776-2706 | Visit: MDE Website

Montgomery County Rental License and Eviction Fees

Additional Fees:

• Common Ownership Communities: $3/unit
• Failure to Pay Rent Filing Fee: $305
• Rental License Processing Fee: $125
• Court Representation: Included

Click Here to Start the Eviction Process – GET STARTED

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Operating a rental property without a valid license is a Class A Violation and may result in:

• $500 fine (first offense)
• $750 fine (repeat offenses)

Avoid these penalties by submitting your Rental License Application before filing for eviction.

How to Evict Someone from Your House in Montgomery County

If you’re a homeowner needing to remove someone living in your home whether they’re a tenant or a guest  you still must follow the Montgomery County Eviction Process.

Steps to Evict Someone from Your Home:

1. Provide a written notice to vacate (if applicable).
2. File the appropriate eviction action in District Court.
3. Attend the scheduled court hearing.
4. If the person refuses to leave after judgment, the Sheriff’s Office will enforce the removal.

Our experts assist homeowners with how to evict someone from your house in Montgomery County legally and professionally.

Frequently Asked Licensing & Registration Questions

How much are the license/registration fees?

• • Class I Licenses:
    • Apartment Complex: $38/unit
    • Accessory Apartment: $38/unit
    • Personal Living Quarters: $38/unit
    • Individually Owned Condominiums: $56/unit
  • Class II Licenses:
    • Single-Family Home, Townhouse, Duplex, Quadraplex: $98
  • Common Ownership Community Registration Fee: $3/unit
  • Registered Living Units: No fee

How often do I pay the license fee?

• • Annually, from July 1st through June 30th.

How do I know when my license fee is due?

• • Invoices are issued automatically each year. Payment is due within 30 days.

Who do I make my payment to?

• • Payable to Montgomery County, MD.

When will I receive my license?

1. • License certificates are only given to landlords of apartment complexes, since the certificate needs to be posted. On the other hand, for all other property owners, the canceled check serves as proof that the application was processed.

   • If you still need confirmation or written proof of your licensing status, you can simply contact the licensing unit directly by calling 240-777-3666.

Who must complete the License application form?

• • Anyone may complete it, but the owner must sign the completed application.

What happens if I sell my rental property?

• • No refunds for any rental period covered by the license.
  • Notify the Licensing/Registration Unit with:
    • License number
    • Rental property address
    • Date of sale
    • New owner's details

What are the penalties for failing to obtain a license?

• • To begin with, fines start at $500 for the first offense and $750 for any repeat violations.
  • In addition, failure to register is considered a Class A Violation of the Montgomery County Code.

Are there any licensing exemptions?

• • Owner-occupied units where a partial owner lives in the unit.
  • Relative-occupied units (e.g., rented to siblings, parents, children, etc.).

How are licensing fees used in Montgomery County?

• • License fees are used to support landlord-tenant dispute resolution and code enforcement.

Do licensing laws apply throughout Montgomery County?

• • No, certain municipalities have their licensing requirements (e.g., Rockville, Gaithersburg).

Do I need a property manager to handle my rental?

• • No, but if the owner lives out of state, they must appoint a Maryland-based legal agent.
    In other words, the legal agent must live in Maryland and agree to accept legal documents on the owner’s behalf.
  • Importantly, the legal agent can be a friend or family member—they do not need to be a professional management agent.
  • Even if owners live in nearby areas like Washington, D.C., or Virginia, they are still required to assign a legal agent in Maryland.

Are any properties exempt from licensing?

• • Yes, there are two types of exemptions:

    • First, Owner-Occupied Units – A unit may be exempt if someone who is a partial owner lives in the unit.
      If that’s the case, the caller should contact the licensing unit for more details.

    • Second, Relative-Occupied Units – A unit may also be exempt if it is occupied by a relative of the owner.
      To clarify, the term “relative” includes:

      1. The landlord’s siblings, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, and their spouses

      2. The landlord’s spouse, as well as the spouse’s siblings, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, and their spouses

Are there special licensing requirements for accessory apartments?

• • Additionally, there is a separate application process for accessory apartments, commonly referred to as “mother-in-law” apartments.

  • In most cases, these units may only be located in owner-occupied single-family detached homes, and the property owner must also be granted a special exception by the Board of Appeals.

  • If you're interested, any property owner considering this program should reach out to the Housing Code Enforcement unit for more details by calling 240-777-3785.

What are Registered Living Units?

• • Registered Living units are similar to accessory apartments, except that the units are occupied rent-free by either a relative or household employee of the owner occupant.

What are Personal Living Quarters?

• • The Personal Living Quarters program allows for the existence of affordable individual living units in a multi-use building.

  • In simple terms, a Personal Living Quarters Building is a building that contains at least six individual living units where residents may share cooking and sanitation facilities.

  • Furthermore, Personal Living Quarters are allowed as a special exception or permitted use in:

    • All multiple-family residential zones

    • Central business district zones

    • Transit station development area zones

    • Certain commercial zones

    If you need more information, feel free to contact the Licensing and Registration Unit at 240-777-3666.

Montgomery County Landlord-Tenant Laws & Handbook

To ensure full compliance, review the Montgomery County Eviction Prevention Handbook for detailed landlord-tenant regulations.
Click Here for the Handbook

Montgomery County Eviction Court Information

• • District Court Location: 191 East Jefferson St, Rockville, MD 20850
  • County Hotline: (240) 777-0311
  • Montgomery County Website
  • Montgomery County Court Website

Get Started Today!

If you're ready to begin the eviction process, click here to submit your case details.

For more details, visit:

• Montgomery County Licensing & Registration