reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-208.2 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-208.2 - Retaliatory Actions for Informing Landlord of Lead Poisoning Hazards

    (a)    Notwithstanding the provisions of § 8-208.1 of this subtitle, a landlord of real property subject to the provisions of Title 6, Subtitle 8 of the Environment Article may not evict or take any other retaliatory action against a tenant primarily as a result of the tenant providing information to the landlord under Title 6, Subtitle 8 of the Environment Article.    (b)    For purposes of this section, a retaliatory action includes:        (1)    An arbitrary refusal to renew a lease;        (2)    Termination of a tenancy;        (3)    An arbitrary rent increase or decrease in services to which the tenant is entitled; or        (4)    Any form of constructive eviction.    (c)    A tenant subject to an eviction or retaliatory action under this section is entitled to the relief, and is eligible for reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, authorized under § 8-208.1 of this subtitle.    (d)    Nothing in this section may be interpreted to alter the landlord’s or the tenant’s rights arising from a breach of any provision of a lease.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-208.3 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-208.3 - Landlord to Maintain Record of Rent Paid

    Every landlord shall maintain a records system showing the dates and amounts of rent paid to the landlord by the tenant or tenants and showing also the fact that a receipt of some form was given to each tenant for each cash payment of rent.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-210 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-210 - Information to Be Posted or Provided by Landlord

    (a)    (1)    The landlord of any residential rental property shall include in a written lease or post a sign in a conspicuous place on that property listing the name, address, and telephone number of:            (i)    The landlord; or            (ii)    The person, if any, authorized to accept notice or service of process on behalf of the landlord.        (2)    If a landlord fails to comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection, notice or service of process shall be deemed to be proper if the tenant sends notice or service of process by any of the following means:            (i)    To the person to whom the rent is paid;            (ii)    To the address where the rent is paid; or            (iii)    To the address where the tax bill is sent.    (b)    (1)    This subsection applies only in Montgomery County.        (2)    In this subsection, “development” has the meaning provided in § 11B-101 of this article.        (3)    (i)    Before execution by a tenant of a lease for an initial term of 125 days or more, the owner of any residential rental property within any condominium or development shall provide to the prospective tenant, to the extent applicable, a copy of the rules, declaration, and recorded covenants and restrictions that limit or affect the use and occupancy of the property or common areas and to which the owner is obligated.            (ii)    The written lease shall include a statement, if applicable, that the obligations of the owner that limit or affect the use and occupancy of the property are enforceable against the owner’s tenant.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-211.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-211.1 - Failure of Lessor to Remove Lead-Based Paint; Rent Escrow

    (a)    Notwithstanding any provision of law or any agreement, whether written or oral, if a landlord fails to comply with the applicable risk reduction standard under § 6-815 or § 6-819 of the Environment Article, the tenant may deposit the tenant’s rent in an escrow account with the clerk of the District Court for the district in which the premises are located.    (b)    The right of a tenant to deposit rent in an escrow account does not preclude the tenant from pursuing any other right or remedy available to the tenant at law or equity and is in addition to them.    (c)    Money deposited in an escrow account shall be released under the following terms and conditions:        (1)    To the lessor upon compliance by the lessor with the applicable risk reduction standard; or        (2)    To the lessee or any other person who has complied with the applicable risk reduction standard on presentation of a bill for the reasonable costs of complying with the applicable risk reduction standard.    (d)    A lessee may not be evicted, the tenancy may not be terminated, and the rent may not be raised for a lessee who elects to seek the remedies under this section. It shall be presumed that any attempt to evict the lessee, to terminate the tenancy, or to raise the rent, except for nonpayment of rent, within two months after compliance with the applicable risk reduction standard is in retaliation for the lessee’s proceeding under this section and shall be void.    (e)    This section shall preempt any public local law or ordinance concerning the deposit of rent into an escrow account based upon the existence of paint containing lead pigment on surfaces in or on a rental dwelling unit in the State and disposition of that rent.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-212.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-212.1 - Liability of Military Personnel Receiving Certain Orders

    (a)    In this section, “change of assignment” includes:        (1)    Permanent change of station orders;        (2)    Temporary duty orders for a period exceeding 90 days;        (3)    Orders requiring a person to move into quarters located on a military installation; and        (4)    A release from active duty, including:            (i)    Retirement;            (ii)    Separation or discharge under honorable conditions; and            (iii)    Demobilization of an activated reservist or a member of the National Guard who was serving on active duty orders for at least 180 consecutive days.    (b)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, if a person who is on active duty with the United States military, or the person’s spouse, enters into a residential lease of property and the person subsequently receives a change of assignment, before or after occupying the property, any liability of the person, or the person’s spouse, for rent under the lease may not exceed:        (1)    Any rent or lawful charges then due and payable plus 30 days’ rent after written notice and proof of the change of assignment is given to the landlord; and        (2)    The cost of repairing damage to the premises caused by an act or omission of the tenant.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-212.2 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-212.2 - Limitation of Liability of a Tenant for Rent

    (a)    This section does not apply to a tenant under a residential lease that contains a liquidated damages clause or early termination clause that:        (1)    Requires written notice to vacate of 1 month or less; and        (2)    Imposes liability for rent less than or equal to 2 months’ rent after the date on which the tenant vacates the leased premises.    (b)    Subject to subsection (a) of this section and notwithstanding any other provision of this title, if a tenant under a residential lease meets the conditions set forth in subsection (c) of this section, the tenant’s liability for rent under the lease may not exceed 2 months’ rent after the date on which the tenant vacates the leased premises.    (c)    To qualify for the limitation of liability under subsection (b) of this section, the tenant shall provide to the landlord before the tenant vacates the leased premises:        (1)    Subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, a written certification from a physician regarding an individual who is a named party in, or an authorized occupant under the terms of, the lease that states in substantially the following form:    “I, (name of physician), hereby certify that my patient, (name of patient), is no longer able to live at his or her leased premises, (address of leased premises), because the patient has a medical condition that:        (1)    Substantially restricts the physical mobility of the patient within, or from entering and exiting, the leased premises; or        (2)    Requires the patient to move to a home, facility, or institution to obtain a higher level of care than can be provided at the leased premises.    I certify further that the expected duration of the patient’s medical condition will continue beyond the termination date of the patient’s lease, which the patient states is (termination date of lease).”; and        (2)    A written notice of the termination of the lease stating the date by when the tenant will vacate the leased premises.    (d)    A certification that is provided to a landlord under subsection (c)(1) of this section shall be:        (1)    Written by a physician who is licensed by the State Board of Physicians to practice medicine in the State under Title 14 of the Health Occupations Article;        (2)    Prepared on the letterhead or printed prescription form of the physician; and        (3)    Signed by the physician.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-212.3 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-212.3 - Deduction From Rent for Utility Payments by Tenant Owed by Landlord

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Affected dwelling unit” has the meaning stated in § 7–309 of the Public Utilities Article.        (3)    “Landlord” has the meaning stated in § 7–309 of the Public Utilities Article.        (4)    “Tenant” has the meaning stated in § 7–309 of the Public Utilities Article.        (5)    “Utility service” has the meaning stated in § 7–309 of the Public Utilities Article.        (6)    “Utility service provider” has the meaning stated in § 7–309 of the Public Utilities Article.    (b)    A tenant may deduct from rent due to a landlord the amount of payments made to a utility service provider for utility service if:        (1)    An oral or written lease for an affected dwelling unit requires the landlord to pay the utility bill; and        (2)    (i)    The tenant pays all or part of the utility bill, including payments made on a new utility service account; or            (ii)    The tenant pays any security deposit required to obtain a new utility service account.    (c)    A tenant’s rights under this section may not be waived in any lease.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-213 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-213 - Applications for Leases; Deposits

    (a)    An application for a lease shall contain a statement which explains:        (1)    The liabilities which the tenant incurs upon signing the application; and        (2)    The provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section.    (b)    (1)    (i)    If a landlord requires from a prospective tenant any fees other than a security deposit as defined by § 8-203(a) of this subtitle, and these fees exceed $25, then the landlord shall return the fees, subject to the exceptions below, or be liable for twice the amount of the fees in damages.            (ii)    The return shall be made not later than 15 days following the date of occupancy or the written communication, by either party to the other, of a decision that no tenancy shall occur.        (2)    The landlord may retain only that portion of the fees actually expended for a credit check or other expenses arising out of the application, and shall return that portion of the fees not actually expended on behalf of the tenant making application.    (c)    This section does not apply to any landlord who offers four or less dwelling units for rent on one parcel of property or at one location, or to seasonal or condominium rentals.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-214 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-214 - Keeping of Household Pets by Elderly Persons in Montgomery County

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Elderly person” means an individual who is 60 years old or older.        (3)    “Landlord” means an owner of residential rental property who offers more than 3 dwelling units for rent on 1 parcel of property or at 1 location.    (b)    This section applies only to Montgomery County.    (c)    If a tenant is an elderly person, a landlord may not prohibit the tenant from keeping a household pet, unless specifically prohibited in writing at the time occupancy took place.    (d)    A tenant is liable for any damage done to the premises by the tenant’s pet.    (e)    A landlord may establish reasonable rules governing the type, size, and number of pets allowed, disposal of pet waste, and aspects of pet conduct and pet control related to protection of the health and safety of other tenants and the property of the landlord.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-215 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-215 - Termination of Lease for Failure to Comply With Applicable Risk Reduction

    (a)    In this section, “affected property” and “owner” have the meanings stated in § 6–801 of the Environment Article.    (b)    (1)    If an owner of an affected property fails to comply with the applicable risk reduction standard under § 6–815 or § 6–819 of the Environment Article, the owner, on the written request of the tenant, shall:            (i)    Immediately release the tenant from the terms of the lease or rental agreement for that property; and            (ii)    Pay to the tenant all reasonable relocation expenses, not to exceed $2,500, directly related to the permanent relocation of the tenant to a lead–free dwelling unit or another dwelling unit that has satisfied the risk reduction standard in accordance with § 6–815 of the Environment Article.        (2)    A tenant’s written request to the landlord under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include any risk reduction certification information provided by the Department of the Environment.        (3)    Within 3 business days of receipt of a tenant’s written request under paragraph (1) of this subsection, an owner may provide to the tenant:            (i)    A current and valid risk reduction certificate;            (ii)    A lead–free certificate;            (iii)    A statement of verification by the owner and tenant of work performed in accordance with § 6–819(g) of the Environment Article for the affected property; or            (iv)    The final report of an inspector verifying that work was performed on the affected property in accordance with § 6–819(g) of the Environment Article.    (c)    (1)    If an owner fails to provide information in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of this section or to comply with the tenant’s written request under subsection (b)(1) of this section within 3 business days of receipt of the request, the tenant may bring an action in District Court for the:            (i)    Lease termination;            (ii)    Reimbursement of reasonable relocation expenses; and            (iii)    Reasonable attorney’s fees.        (2)    A tenant does not have a cause of action under this subsection if the owner of an affected property provides information in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of this section.    (d)    The right of a tenant to request release in accordance with subsection (b) of this section does not preclude the tenant from pursuing any other right or remedy available to the tenant at law or equity and is in addition to them.    (e)    Any action or inaction of the owner of an affected property or tenant under this section or any finding in a proceeding under this section may not be construed to have any effect on:        (1)    Any civil action; or        (2)    Any administrative proceeding brought under this title or Title 6 of the Environment Article.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-216 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-216 - Prohibition on Nonjudicial Evictions by Willful Diminution of Services

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Threaten to take possession” means using words or actions intended to convince a reasonable person that the landlord intends to take imminent possession of the property in violation of this section.        (3)    (i)    “Willful diminution of services” means intentionally interrupting or causing the interruption of heat, running water, hot water, electricity, or gas by the landlord for the purpose of forcing a tenant to abandon the property.            (ii)    “Willful diminution of services” does not include a landlord choosing not to continue to pay for utility service for residential property after a final court order awarding possession of the residential property, if the landlord has provided the tenant reasonable notice of the landlord’s intention and the opportunity for the tenant to open an account in the tenant’s name for that service.    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a landlord may not take possession or threaten to take possession of a dwelling unit from a tenant or tenant holding over by locking the tenant out or any other action, including willful diminution of services to the tenant.        (2)    A landlord may take possession of a dwelling unit from a tenant or tenant holding over only:            (i)    In accordance with a warrant of restitution issued by a court and executed by a sheriff or constable; or            (ii)    If the tenant has abandoned or surrendered possession of the dwelling unit.    (c)    (1)    If in any proceeding the court finds in favor of the tenant because the landlord violated subsection (b) of this section, the tenant may recover:            (i)    Actual damages; and            (ii)    Reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.        (2)    The remedies set forth in this subsection are not exclusive.    (d)    This section may not be construed to prevent a landlord from taking temporary measures, including changing the locks, to secure an unsecured residential property, if the landlord makes good faith attempts to provide reasonable notice to the tenant that the tenant may promptly be restored to possession of the property.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-217 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases|Section 8-217 - Conversion of Senior Apartment Facility Into Apartment Facility for General Population

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Landlord” means the owner of a senior apartment facility.        (3)    (i)    “Senior apartment facility” means an apartment building or complex that:                1.    Contains four or more individual dwelling units; and                2.    Is housing for older persons as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 3607.            (ii)    “Senior apartment facility” does not include a nursing home or an assisted living facility.    (b)    (1)    At least 180 days before converting a senior apartment facility into an apartment facility for the general population, the landlord shall provide each tenant of the senior apartment facility with written notice of the conversion.        (2)    The notice shall include:            (i)    A statement that the senior apartment facility will be converted into an apartment facility for the general population;            (ii)    The date on which the conversion will take place; and            (iii)    A statement that the tenant has the right to terminate the lease at any time before the conversion date, provided that the tenant gives the landlord at least 1 month’s written notice.    (c)    Notwithstanding the terms of the lease, the landlord:        (1)    Shall allow any tenant who requests to move before the conversion date to terminate the tenant’s lease after giving at least 1 month’s written notice to the landlord; and        (2)    May not withhold any portion of a tenant’s security deposit for rent that would have become due under any remaining term of the lease after termination under this section.    (d)    To the extent that a violation of any provision of this section affects a tenant of a senior apartment facility, that violation shall be within the scope of the enforcement duties and powers of the Division of Consumer Protection of the Office of the Attorney General, as described in Title 13 of the Commercial Law Article.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 3 - Distress for Rent|Section 8-301 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated unless otherwise apparent from context.    (b)    “Court” means the District Court.    (c)    “Defendant” means a tenant.    (d)    “Distress” means an action of distress filed pursuant to the provisions of this subtitle.    (e)    “Goods” means goods, chattels, grain, growing crops, produce, unborn young of animals, inventory, and equipment regardless of where found or located, and includes cash money found on the leased premises. “Goods” does not include choses in action, other forms of intangible property, written contracts, securities, bonds, notes, or other instruments for the payment of money.
MD. Real Property Code Ann. §  8-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Real Property|Title 8 - Landlord and Tenant|Subtitle 3 - Distress for Rent|Section 8-302 - Action at Law; Jurisdiction; Leases Subject to Distress; Venue

    (a)    Distress for rent is an action at law and shall be brought as provided in this section.    (b)    Original jurisdiction in a case of distress for rent is vested exclusively in the District Court regardless of the amount of rent for which distress is brought, notwithstanding any limitation imposed by law on the civil monetary jurisdiction of such court.    (c)    An action of distress may be brought only for unpaid rent under a written lease for a term of more than three months, or under a tenancy at will or a periodic tenancy that has continued more than three months.    (d)    An action of distress shall be brought in the county where the leased premises lie.    (e)    A party to an action of distress brought in the District Court under this section may demand a trial by jury in accordance with Subtitle 6 of this article.