Big Changes to Maryland’s Landlord – Tenant Law

Effective October 1, 2025, Maryland’s landlord-tenant laws have undergone significant changes that are intended to address long‐standing concerns about how residential evictions (for non-payment of rent, lease breaches, or hold-over tenants) are carried out in Maryland. Here are some important changes to the law that recently went into effect:

1. Notice to Tenant When Warrant of Restitution Issued

Under previous law, a landlord could obtain a warrant of restitution after a judgment for eviction (for non-payment, lease breach, or hold-over) and then proceed to repossess the property. The new law mandates that before the Sheriff executes the warrant of restitution, the landlord must provide written notice to the tenant when the warrant of restitution is issued.

Specifically:

• The landlord must send the notice at least six days before the scheduled eviction date.
• The notice must be posted on the front door and sent to the tenant by First Class Mail, postage prepaid.  If the landlord has the tenant’s cellphone number or email address, electronic delivery of the notice is also required.
• The notice must contain specific language regarding the scheduled eviction date, the date the warrant of restitution was issued by the Court, information concerning the potential loss of personal belongings left in the home, the tenant’s right to redemption (if applicable), and contact information for the Maryland Court Help Center.
• If the landlord fails to comply, the court may vacate the warrant or delay execution of repossession.

2. Expiration and Execution of the Warrant

• A warrant of restitution must be executed within 60 days of its issuance; If not, it expires.
• There are limitations on executing evictions during certain extreme weather conditions (e.g., freezing temperatures, heat warnings, tropical alerts), to protect tenant safety.

If you are a landlord or tenant involved in a legal dispute, the best step you can take is to work with a knowledgeable attorney at Lewicky, O’Connor, Hunt, & Meiser who can help you navigate Maryland’s new legal landscape.