SB 556 Maryland Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Real Property - Fraudulent Possession and Unauthorized Lease or Listing - Prohibition and Removal

SB 556 prohibits using false documents to gain possession of residential property, leasing property you don't own, or falsely advertising property sales when you're not the owner. It allows property owners or their agents to request sheriff removal of unlawful occupants after meeting specific conditions (e.g., no pending lawsuits, the occupant wasn't authorized). Sheriffs must verify ownership, serve immediate vacate notices, and may arrest occupants for trespass, while victims of wrongful removal can recover triple the fair market rent plus attorney fees. The law applies only to residential properties and clarifies that owners and sheriffs aren't liable for property damage during lawful removal.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 24, 2025 Last action Jan 28, 2025
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Total actions
2
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Committee
1
Jan 24, 2025
Committee
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Justin Ready
Justin Ready
RRepublican
MD
5