New*** Notice of Intent to File a Complaint

Effective October 1, 2021, before a landlord may file a complaint for 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.

An explanation letter from the District Court of Maryland can be found here.

This notice must be given to the tenant on the Judiciary form found here.

Here is an informational brochure for landlords.

The notice must be:

Sent by First Class Mail – Certificate of Mailing

Affixed to the door of the premises; or

If elected by tenant, sent by electronic delivery via email, text, or an electronic tenant portal.

The Failure to Pay Rent complaint must also contain an affirmation that the landlord gave the required notice and the date it was given [Section 8-401 (c)(3) of the Real Property Article of the Maryland Code]

The notice must be mailed or delivered, and then 10 days later landlords may place the order for the Failure To Pay Rent filing. The new step has been added to our Step One.

This change is part of the House Bill 18 Chapter 746 passed during the 2021 Legislative Session.

Feel free to reach out with any questions at [email protected]