Cal. Civ. Code § 8-212.3
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) “Affected dwelling unit” has the meaning stated in § 7–309 of the Public Utilities Article. (3) “Landlord” has the meaning stated in § 7–309 of the Public Utilities Article. (4) “Tenant” has the meaning stated in § 7–309 of the Public Utilities Article. (5) “Utility service” has the meaning stated in § 7–309 of the Public Utilities Article. (6) “Utility service provider” has the meaning stated in § 7–309 of the Public Utilities Article. (b) A tenant may deduct from rent due to a landlord the amount of payments made to a utility service provider for utility service if: (1) An oral or written lease for an affected dwelling unit requires the landlord to pay the utility bill; and (2) (i) The tenant pays all or part of the utility bill, including payments made on a new utility service account; or (ii) The tenant pays any security deposit required to obtain a new utility service account. (c) A tenant’s rights under this section may not be waived in any lease.
Maryland Real Property § 8-212.3 establishes a rent-deduction remedy tied to utility payment obligations. When a lease—oral or written—requires the landlord to cover utility bills for an affected dwelling unit, but the tenant ends up paying those bills (or a security deposit to open a new utility account) instead, the tenant is permitted to subtract that amount from the rent otherwise owed. Notably, this statutory right cannot be signed away in any lease agreement, meaning a lease clause purporting to waive it has no legal effect.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-212.3, landlords who have agreed—in any oral or written lease—to pay utility bills for an affected dwelling unit bear the risk of rent deductions if tenants are forced to cover those costs themselves. Compliant operators generally ensure that utility accounts remain current and in good standing so that tenants never need to make payments or open new accounts on the landlord's behalf. Because the statute expressly voids any lease clause attempting to waive tenant rights under this section, including such a clause in a lease provides no protection against a deduction claim.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-212.3 of the Maryland Real Property Code gives tenants a direct financial remedy when a landlord who is contractually obligated to pay utilities fails to do so. If you paid a utility bill—or a security deposit to establish a new utility account—that your lease required the landlord to cover, the statute allows you to deduct that amount from your rent. Because this right cannot be waived by any lease provision, tenants who believe it applies to their situation may wish to document all payments carefully and consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for guidance on how the remedy works in practice.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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