Maryland Commercial Landlord-Tenant Laws: Overview & Statutes
An overview of Maryland commercial real estate laws, where the lease agreement reigns supreme and landlord and tenant negotiate on equal footing.
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Unlike residential landlord-tenant law, which is heavily stacked with statutory protections for renters, Maryland commercial leasing law is largely governed by the fundamental principle of ** свободы договора** (freedom of contract). Maryland courts assume that commercial landlords and tenants are sophisticated business entities capable of negotiating on equal footing.
The Lease Agreement Governs All
In Maryland, the commercial lease dictates almost the entire relationship. There are virtually no statutory caps on late fees, security deposits, or rent increases for commercial spaces. Instead, the court will simply look at the four corners of the written agreement to resolve disputes.
Key differences from residential law include:
- No statutory limit on security deposits.
- No statutory cap on late fees.
- No mandatory grace period.
- No implied warranty of habitability (fitness of the premises is determined entirely by the lease).
Eviction Prohibition (No Self-Help)
Despite the freedom of contract, there is one major statutory protection afforded to commercial tenants in Maryland: A landlord cannot use "self-help" to evict a tenant.
Even if the tenant is months behind on rent and the lease explicitly permits lockouts, Maryland law requires a commercial landlord to file a formal action in District Court and wait for a sheriff to execute a Warrant of Restitution. Changing the locks, cutting off power, or seizing inventory without court authorization exposes the landlord to massive liability for unlawful eviction.
Key Compliance Areas in Commercial Leasing
Explore our targeted guides to manage the complexities of managing and leasing commercial property in Maryland:
How Landager Helps
Landager tracks lease terms, payments, and compliance document dates - making it easy to stay compliant with Maryland regulations.
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