Cal. Civ. Code § 8-106
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
If a landlord, having only an estate for life, dies on or before the day on which the rent that has been earned is payable and the landlord’s death terminates the leasehold estate, the landlord’s personal representative may recover from the tenant the full amount of the rent if death occurs on the day the rent is payable or a proportionate share of the rent if death occurs before this day.
Under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. §§ 8-101 to 8-1006 § 8-106, when a landlord holds only a life estate in a property and dies on or before the date rent is due, the death may end the tenancy. In that situation, the landlord's personal representative retains the right to collect rent that was earned before death — the full amount if death occurs on the due date, or a proportionate share if death occurs earlier in the rental period. This rule clarifies how earned but unpaid rent is treated when a life-estate landlord's death cuts short the lease.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners who hold a life estate rather than full ownership should be aware that, under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. §§ 8-101 to 8-1006 § 8-106, their death can terminate any leasehold they have created. Compliant estate administration in this context typically involves the personal representative identifying rent that accrued up to the date of death and pursuing collection of the full or proportionate amount owed. Keeping clear records of rent due dates and payment histories helps an estate administrator determine the correct share of rent to recover.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. §§ 8-101 to 8-1006 § 8-106, tenants should understand that if their landlord held only a life estate and dies, the lease itself may be terminated by that death. Even so, rent that was earned before the landlord's death remains collectible by the estate's personal representative — either in full or on a prorated basis depending on when the death occurred. Tenants who receive a claim for rent from a deceased landlord's estate may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand how this provision applies to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 12, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.