Table of Contents
Section One: Introduction Section Two: Finding a Place to Live Where to Look Practical Suggestions for Choosing an Apartment Discrimination Credit Checks Tenant Screening Services Application Fees Section Three: The Rental Agreement or Lease Types of Agreements Lease Provisions Further Cautions Before Signing Section Four: The Security Deposit Maximum Amount Receipt to Tenant Interest on the Deposit List of Existing Damages Inspection of Premises When Moving Out Withholding the Deposit Notice of Withholding to Tenant Return of Deposit and Interest Additional Tenant Tips for Getting Back the Deposit Section Five: Moving In and Paying Rent Tenant’s Rights If the Apartment Is Occupied Tenant’s Obligation to Pay Rent Rent Increases Rent Control Section Six: Maintenance, Repairs, and Housing Codes Tenant Obligations and Responsibilities Landlord Obligations and Responsibilities Getting Repairs on Substandard Housing Section Seven: Ending the Lease, Moving Out, and Evictions Moving Out at End of Term Moving Out Prematurely or Subletting Staying After the Lease Expires Eviction for Non-Payment of Rent Retaliatory Eviction Section Eight: Other Tenant Problems Changes and Improvements to Rental Property Fire and Other Unavoidable Accident Personal Injuries on the Rental Property Condominium Conversions Death of Landlord or Tenant Sale of Rental Property Landlord’s Right of Entry Section Nine: Innkeeper-Boarder Relationship Distinguished from Landlord-Tenant Relationship Differences in the Law Tips for Boarders Section Ten: Tenant Organizing The Problem – Why Organize? Strategies and Tactics Tenant Associations Section Eleven: Additional Resources for Tenants Resources listed state-wide and by county regarding: Landlord-Tenant Negotiation Legal Aid Code Enforcement and Housing Inspections Lawyer Referral Relocation Housing Department of Social Services Section Twelve: Appendix-Sample Forms Apartment Checklist Model Lease Sublet Agreement Lease Termination Agreement Notice of Intent to Vacate and Demand for Return of Security Deposit Additional Resources For specific questions or legal advice, please contact one of these groups.
If you have any questions about renters' rights feel free to contact Baltimore Neighborhoods Inc. at 1-800-487-6007. This guide was revised in fall 2000 using several sources from different agencies. This guide was updated by Nicholas Mendoza, University of Maryland.
