Anne Arundel County Extends Eviction Notice Period to 14 Days

Anne Arundel County has implemented new regulations aimed at strengthening tenant protections, making it one of the few Maryland counties to extend the eviction notice period to 14 days.

Effective July 1, landlords are now mandated to provide tenants with a two-week notice before initiating an eviction, a significant increase from the previous six-day minimum established by state law. This adjustment positions Anne Arundel County alongside Howard and Montgomery counties, which have also adopted similar measures.

According to Maryland attorney Tom Maronick, this change is beneficial for both landlords and tenants. He emphasized that the new notice period allows for a more humane approach to evictions, preventing the distressing scenario of tenants' belongings being placed outside for anyone to take.

The updated regulations also effectively eliminate the practice of curbside evictions. Under the new rules, landlords will change the locks on the property instead of removing tenants' possessions to the curb. Tenants will then have a 24-hour period to collect their belongings before the landlord may dispose of them.

However, Maronick raised concerns regarding the lack of a redemption period, which could complicate the retrieval of personal property for tenants. He believes that extending the notice period could lead to fewer disputes and provide a clearer resolution for all parties involved.

Despite these changes, several aspects of the eviction process remain unchanged. Landlords are still required to obtain a court judgment prior to evicting tenants, and the sheriff's office continues to oversee the execution of evictions.

Maronick advocates for more Maryland counties to consider adopting a similar 14-day notice period to enhance tenant protections statewide.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).