Maryland Eviction Process
Court: District Court of Maryland in the county where property is located
25
Min. days
(uncontested)
(uncontested)
40
Typical days
240
Worst case
(contested)
(contested)
Yes
Self-rep OK?
Notice Types
10-Day
10-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Written notice required. Must state exact amount owed.
30-Day
30-Day Notice to Quit (Lease Violation)
For material breach of lease. Must specify the violation.
30-Day
30-Day Notice to Terminate
Month-to-month termination.
Step-by-Step Process
1
Serve written notice
Personal delivery or certified mail. Keep proof.
2
Wait for notice period +10 days
10 days for nonpayment, 30 days for violations/no-fault.
3
File failure to pay rent complaint (or breach of lease) +1 days
Maryland has a specific Failure to Pay Rent complaint form. File at District Court. Very low filing fees.
4
Sheriff serves summons +5 days
Sheriff serves tenant with summons and hearing date.
5
District Court hearing +7 days
Hearing typically within 5-10 days of filing for nonpayment. Fast state.
6
Judgment and warrant of restitution +4 days
If landlord prevails: warrant of restitution issued after 4-day stay.
7
Sheriff executes warrant +5 days
Sheriff executes. Landlord must arrange moving company or storage for tenant belongings.
Key Warnings
- Maryland's failure-to-pay-rent filing fees are among the lowest in the nation — very accessible process.
- Montgomery County and Takoma Park have rent control — check before increasing rent or refusing renewal.
- Baltimore City has local tenant protections and an active housing court.
- Self-help eviction is illegal — Real Property §8-211.
Court & Filing Details
| Court | District Court of Maryland in the county where property is located |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $15–$46 depending on claim type |
| Statute | Maryland Real Property Code §§8-101 et seq.; §8-401 (failure to pay rent) |
| Find the Court | District Court of Maryland in the county where property is located |
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Browse Notice TemplatesThis tool provides legal information, not legal advice. Nothing on this site creates an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.