Maryland Eviction Notice Overview
Maryland does not use a standard 7-day eviction notice. Maryland's notice requirements vary significantly based on the type of eviction. For non-payment of rent, Maryland allows landlords to file immediately after rent is latewithout any prior notice (though the tenant gets time to respond once the case is filed). For lease violations, notice requirements vary. Maryland's eviction process is called 'failure to pay rent' or 'breach of lease' and is filed in District Court.
Maryland's landlord-tenant law is codified in Real Property Article, Title 8. The state has some of the most unusual eviction procedures in the country because landlords can file for non-payment without any pre-filing notice. Maryland has 24 jurisdictions (23 counties plus Baltimore City), and all eviction cases are filed in District Court. The filing fee is very low ($25-$46), which contributes to Maryland having one of the highest per-capita eviction filing rates. Montgomery County and Prince George's County have additional local tenant protections.
Varies Days
Notice period
$25 - $46
Filing fee
MD Code
Governing law
District
Court level
Why Maryland Uses Varies Days, Not 7
Maryland Has No Standard Notice Period for Non-Payment
Maryland does not require a pre-filing notice period for non-payment of rent. Once rent is late, the landlord may file a failure-to-pay-rent action directly in District Court. The tenant then has until the court date to pay the full amount owed. For breach of lease, a 30-day notice is generally required under MD Real Prop. §8-402.1. A 7-day notice is not the standard in Maryland.
Maryland Notice Periods at a Glance
- No Pre-Filing Notice — Non-Payment (§8-401): Landlord may file immediately once rent is overdue; no pre-filing notice required
- 30-Day Notice — Breach of Lease (§8-402.1): Tenant must receive 30 days notice for most lease violations
- 14-Day Notice — Lease Violations (§8-402.1): 14 days for clear and imminent danger situations
- 60/90-Day Notice — Month-to-Month (§8-402): 60 days in Baltimore City; 30 days elsewhere; local variations apply
Maryland Notice Requirements
Maryland courts require that eviction notices meet specific content and format standards. An incomplete or incorrectly timed notice will result in dismissal of the eviction case.
Required Notice Content
- Property Address: Full address including unit number, city, and zip code
- Tenant Names: All tenants named on the lease or rental agreement
- Amount Owed or Violation: Exact dollar amount of rent due, or specific description of the lease violation
- Correct Notice Period: Varies days for non-payment as required by Maryland law
- Consequence Statement: That eviction proceedings will be filed if the tenant does not cure or vacate
- Landlord Information: Name and contact information of the landlord or property manager
How to Serve an Eviction Notice in Maryland
Maryland law provides specific methods for serving eviction notices. Proper service and documentation are essential for the court filing.
First-Class Mail
Maryland allows notice by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address. This is the most common method for breach-of-lease notices.
Personal Delivery
Hand-deliver to the tenant in person. Provides the strongest proof of service.
Posting on Premises
Post on the door of the rental unit if the tenant cannot be reached personally. Also mail a copy.
Court Service
For the actual court filing, the court serves the tenant with the summons and complaint. The landlord does not need to separately serve the failure-to-pay-rent complaint.
Maryland Eviction Timeline
The Maryland eviction process follows a specific timeline from notice through court proceedings to enforcement.
For non-payment: file failure-to-pay-rent complaint directly in District Court (no prior notice needed)
Court hearing date set; typically within 5-10 days of filing
Hearing held; tenant can pay in full at or before the hearing to avoid eviction
If judgment for landlord, tenant has 4 days to appeal or request stay
Warrant of restitution issued; sheriff executes eviction
Maryland non-payment evictions are very fast — often completed in 2-4 weeks because no pre-filing notice is required. Breach of lease cases take longer due to the 30-day notice requirement. Montgomery County and Baltimore City may have longer timelines due to additional local protections. Maryland allows tenants to 'redeem' by paying the full amount at any time before the actual eviction.
Maryland Eviction Fees & Costs
Below are the typical costs for an eviction proceeding in Maryland District Court. Actual fees may vary by county.
| Fee / Cost | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| District Court Filing Fee | $25 - $46 |
| Service of Process (included) | Included in filing fee |
| Warrant of Restitution | $10 - $25 |
| Attorney Fees (optional) | $500 - $2,000 |
| Appeal Filing Fee | $75 - $150 |
Sample Maryland Eviction Notice
Below is a preview of a Maryland-compliant eviction notice that meets the requirements of MD Real Prop. 8-401.
BREACH OF LEASE NOTICE
STATE OF MARYLAND
Pursuant to MD Real Prop. §8-402.1
LANDLORD:
Name: [Full Legal Name]
Address: [Maryland Address]
TENANT(S):
Name(s): [All Tenant Names]
Rental Address: [Full Property Address]
NOTICE:
You are hereby notified that you are in breach of your lease agreement for: [Describe Violation]. You have THIRTY (30) DAYS from service to cure or vacate. For non-payment, no prior notice is required in Maryland.
MARYLAND COMPLIANCE NOTE
Maryland does not require a pre-filing notice for non-payment of rent — the landlord may file directly in District Court. For breach of lease, a 30-day notice is generally required under §8-402.1. A 7-day notice is not the standard form in Maryland.