Is it legal for a Maryland landlord to hand you an eviction notice right now? Some people think evictions are frozen. Others swear they started back up ages ago. It doesn’t help that the rules keep shifting at breakneck pace, especially since the pandemic turned everything upside down. You can miss something crucial in a matter of weeks, and nobody wants to get blindsided—especially when a roof over your head hangs in the balance. So, what’s real for June 2025? Should you worry if you’re behind on rent, or are landlords stuck watching unpaid leases pile up?
Eviction Laws in Maryland: What’s Happening in 2025?
Let’s get right to it. The big federal and state eviction moratoriums that started popping up all across the country during COVID-19? They’re ancient history in legal time. Those protections ended for Maryland renters ages ago—federal ones expired back in 2021, and Maryland’s governors didn’t keep any long-term orders in place past autumn 2021 either. Municipalities like Baltimore or Montgomery County don’t have special blanket protections anymore. So, as of June 29, 2025, landlords in Maryland absolutely can start eviction proceedings—but it’s not as quick and dirty as tossing someone’s stuff on the curb after a handshake with the sheriff.
Evicting a tenant in Maryland in 2025 still means following a formal process. Even though courts are fully open and handling cases as normal, landlords can't just change the locks or shut off utilities to force you out. Doing that is "self-help eviction," and it’s still illegal—judges come down hard on any landlord cutting corners. Every lawful eviction starts with proper written notice. The minimum timeline and grounds for eviction depend on why the landlord wants you out: failure to pay rent, breaking the lease, or holding over after your lease ends. Some counties have longer notice requirements, so the process can get tangled fast if you’re not keeping track of your lease details and the particular court’s rules. If you’re looking for hard numbers, the median eviction turnaround—filing to lockout—in Maryland is about 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how busy the court is and whether tenants show up to fight their case.
Now, about those pandemic relief policies. There are no new rent-relief checks coming from the state this year, but human services agencies in counties like Prince George’s and Baltimore City sometimes help tenants who are actively fighting eviction if they meet certain hardship criteria. Don’t count on blanket delays. Also, if you’re in subsidized housing or have a Section 8 voucher, some extra protections against sudden or unfair eviction might apply. Always read those leases extra carefully. For most tenants, though, the regular rules are back in effect—and courts expect both sides to show up with paperwork in order if they want a win.
How the Maryland Eviction Process Works Step-by-Step
You don’t need a law degree to get the basics of how eviction happens in Maryland, but the devil is always in the details. Here’s the rough journey from “missed rent” to losing the keys:
- Step 1: Notice. For non-payment of rent, landlords can file immediately but usually deliver a 10-day notice asking tenants to pay or vacate. For breaking lease terms (damages, illegal activity), the typical notice is 14 days. If your lease expired but you’re still in the unit, landlords must give 60 days’ notice (or longer, depending on the county) for a "holdover" eviction.
- Step 2: Filing in District Court. Once the notice period expires and the tenant is still there (and the rent isn't paid), a landlord files a "Failure to Pay Rent" or "Tenant Holding Over" complaint. This starts the legal clock ticking. You’ll get a summons or an official court notice to show up for your eviction hearing.
- Step 3: Court Hearing. Usually happens 7–14 days after the landlord files the paperwork, depending on how jammed the court schedule is. Tenants get a chance to show proof of payment, negotiate, or argue that the notice was improper or the damages/violations are bogus. If neither side blinks, the judge decides right there.
- Step 4: Judgment and Writ of Possession. If the landlord wins, the judge issues a judgment for possession. That’s legal speak for, “Tenant needs to leave.” If it’s rent owed, tenants have a right of redemption—meaning paying all back rent, late fees, and court costs (right up until the sheriff arrives!) can halt the lockout. If it’s for lease violation or holdover, you might lose that right depending on the situation.
- Step 5: Sheriff’s Eviction. The court tells the local sheriff or constable to execute the eviction—usually within two weeks. The sheriff will post a notice and physically supervise the removal if you’re still there on that date. Maryland does not require the landlord to store evicted tenant’s belongings, so anything left inside could be tossed immediately or set outside.
Here’s an interesting fact: Less than a third of filed eviction cases in Maryland actually end in someone physically getting locked out. Lots of tenants pay up last minute, move out voluntarily when the pressure’s on, or negotiate deals with landlords. Still, the process is stressful and the timelines can feel like a roller coaster, especially if rent’s already a struggle.
For anyone thinking about “buying time,” Maryland law is pretty blunt—the court doesn’t guarantee much. There aren’t endless delays, and judges tend to rule for landlords if the paperwork checks out unless there’s a strong defense. Legal aid lawyers, though, can sometimes spot technicalities or mistakes in a landlord’s filing that will buy you precious time. Always double-check the dates, amounts, and service of notices.
Another tip: Always show up at your court date, even if you believe you’ll lose. Judges hate no-shows, and missing your hearing usually means an automatic loss, even if you have a legit defense. Plus, you can often work out a payment plan or a little more time face-to-face—even small details matter a lot to Maryland judges who see thousands of these cases a year.
Rights, Risks, and Relief: What Tenants and Landlords Need to Know
Here’s the kicker—evictions aren’t always about unpaid rent. Maryland law strictly limits landlord reasons to specific legal grounds. Non-payment is by far the most common, but lease violations (pet rules, smoking, damage, or even criminal activity on the property) also count, and landlords still have hoops to jump through for every case. If you’re living with children or are elderly, don’t expect the court to hand out extra grace periods, unless clearly stated in federal or local disability or fair housing laws.
If you’re a landlord wondering if the times have changed to make things easier, don’t get too comfortable. Maryland remains a “tenant-friendly” state in many ways—compared to, say, Texas or Georgia. Tenants have the power to contest paperwork, delay the process by seeking help from legal aid, or ask for mediation if negotiations break down. In Baltimore City, for example, there’s now a right to free legal counsel for low-income renters—and data shows tenants with a lawyer present are about 3 times less likely to be evicted in court. But landlords also get the green light again to enforce lease terms when tenants fall way behind. That balance is exactly what the courts are enforcing in summer 2025.
You should know that the eviction process suddenly moves faster if tenants don’t fight back or don’t communicate. Maryland does not require lease renewal notices beyond what’s in your contract, so read every word and mark your lease end date on your calendar. If you want a new lease, speak up early or risk being considered a holdover tenant—who gets a longer notice but much less sympathy in court if you refuse to leave. If you pay rent late more than 3 times in 12 months, Maryland landlords can refuse to accept late rent and push for removal. That “right of redemption” (paying everything to stay) isn’t unlimited, especially for people who make late payments a monthly habit.
Need help? The Maryland Judiciary’s online portal posts landlord-tenant case info for free, including upcoming court dates. Some nonprofits offer hotlines for tenants who need translation or emergency legal help. Many counties, including Baltimore City and Prince George’s, staff resource centers at the courthouse with advice clinics. If you suddenly lose your home, you can also dial 211 for rapid rehousing referrals and, sometimes, short-term hotel stays if you’re displaced by legal eviction.
One little-known tip: Mediation works. Some judges actually refer tough cases to mediators before entering a final judgment. If you’re open to compromise—like working out a payment plan or agreeing to move out on a set date—you might save everyone the drama and the court filing fees. Even if you’re angry at your landlord, it can be a lifeline if you’re genuinely short of options. Just don’t ignore the paperwork. If anything looks off—wrong name, wrong dates, incorrect amounts—get legal advice quickly. Technical mistakes can be your secret weapon.
At the end of the day, you can’t ignore that Maryland landlords re-gained their legal right to evict after the emergency health moratoriums ended. Eviction cases are climbing again in Baltimore, Silver Spring, Annapolis, and beyond. Tenants who don’t prepare—who don’t know their rights, who miss court dates, who stop opening mail—are the ones who get the worst surprises. Read the notices, communicate, and never assume that laws from 2021 or 2022 are still in play. If in doubt, call your local legal aid. Landlords aren’t obligated to “work with you,” but a lot are willing if you’re honest and upfront.
