ANNAPOLIS, Md — Anne Arundel County has joined a select group of counties in Maryland by enhancing tenant protections surrounding evictions, allowing both renters and property owners additional time to go through the process.
Effective July 1, landlords in Anne Arundel County are now mandated to give tenants a 14-day notice prior to initiating an eviction, an increase from the previous 6-day minimum stipulated by Maryland state law. With this change, Anne Arundel County becomes one of just three Maryland counties to implement this extended notice period, alongside Howard County and Montgomery County.
Maryland attorney Tom Maronick commented that this adjustment serves to benefit both landlords and tenants.
Anne Arundel County extends eviction notice period to 14 days, putting an end to curbside evictions
Anne Arundel County expands eviction notice to 14 days
“It’s a significant development, and it adds a human element to the process. While landlords have the legal authority to proceed with evictions, it’s heartbreaking for tenants who may have resided in the property for an extended period and are facing tough times to witness their belongings put out on the street in front of neighbors,” Maronick stated. “This change creates a way for them to vacate the property respectfully, protecting their belongings from being taken.”
The newly enacted law effectively abolishes the practice of curbside evictions. Under the new guidelines, a tenant’s possessions will generally remain inside the residence during an eviction. Rather than placing items outside, landlords will now change the locks, granting tenants a 24-hour period after the locks have been changed to collect their belongings before the landlord may dispose of them.
However, Maronick expressed some concerns regarding this provision.
“One drawback is the absence of a redemption period, which has raised some controversy. The lack of a defined timeframe to recover belongings could be problematic for tenants,” he explained.
While the new law introduces significant changes, some critical aspects of the eviction process continue to remain the same. Landlords still need to obtain a court ruling before proceeding with an eviction, and the sheriff’s office is tasked with executing evictions.
Maronick advocates for other counties across Maryland to consider following Anne Arundel’s example.
“I believe that a 14-day notice period should be adopted by more counties. This would help mitigate issues, providing clearer closure for everyone involved, and I think it would be beneficial for more counties to implement this approach,” he said.
The full details of the legislation are available for review below:
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