Housing (Tenant Rights)

SB 635 modifies Maryland's landlord-tenant law to allow landlords to enter rented properties without written notice in two specific situations: (1) during emergencies threatening property, occupant safety, or other tenants' health/safety, or (2) when completing repairs requested in writing by the tenant, either within 7 days of the request or while actively working on the repair. This change affects landlords and tenants in rental housing by removing the standard 24-hour written notice requirement for these scenarios, while maintaining the existing rule that routine entries must occur between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday unless otherwise agreed in writing. The bill amends Section 8-221(b) of the Maryland Annotated Code and takes effect October 1, 2026.

HB 59 accelerates court proceedings for property owners (complainants) seeking to regain possession of real property they have listed for sale or lease. If property is advertised for sale/lease at the time of filing, the bill requires a court hearing within 5 business days (instead of 10), mandates personal service or conspicuous posting of notices on the property, and limits appeals to 2 business days after judgment. The court must issue a warrant for possession within hours if the owner wins, and tenants must post bond or pay rental value to delay eviction during appeals. This bill directly affects landlords trying to sell/lease property and tenants in possession, streamlining the process to expedite transfer of ownership.