Cal. Civ. Code § 8-215
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) In this section, “affected property” and “owner” have the meanings stated in § 6–801 of the Environment Article. (b) (1) If an owner of an affected property fails to comply with the applicable risk reduction standard under § 6–815 or § 6–819 of the Environment Article, the owner, on the written request of the tenant, shall: (i) Immediately release the tenant from the terms of the lease or rental agreement for that property; and (ii) Pay to the tenant all reasonable relocation expenses, not to exceed $2,500, directly related to the permanent relocation of the tenant to a lead–free dwelling unit or another dwelling unit that has satisfied the risk reduction standard in accordance with § 6–815 of the Environment Article. (2) A tenant’s written request to the landlord under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include any risk reduction certification information provided by the Department of the Environment. (3) Within 3 business days of receipt of a tenant’s written request under paragraph (1) of this subsection, an owner may provide to the tenant: (i) A current and valid risk reduction certificate; (ii) A lead–free certificate; (iii) A statement of verification by the owner and tenant of work performed in accordance with § 6–819(g) of the Environment Article for the affected property; or (iv) The final report of an inspector verifying that work was performed on the affected property in accordance with § 6–819(g) of the Environment Article. (c) (1) If an owner fails to provide information in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of this section or to comply with the tenant’s written request under subsection (b)(1) of this section within 3 business days of receipt of the request, the tenant may bring an action in District Court for the: (i) Lease termination; (ii) Reimbursement of reasonable relocation expenses; and (iii) Reasonable attorney’s fees. (2) A tenant does not have a cause of action under this subsection if the owner of an affected property provides information in accordance with subsection (b)(3) of this section. (d) The right of a tenant to request release in accordance with subsection (b) of this section does not preclude the tenant from pursuing any other right or remedy available to the tenant at law or equity and is in addition to them. (e) Any action or inaction of the owner of an affected property or tenant under this section or any finding in a proceeding under this section may not be construed to have any effect on: (1) Any civil action; or (2) Any administrative proceeding brought under this title or Title 6 of the Environment Article.
Maryland Real Property § 8-215 addresses situations where a landlord who owns a property subject to lead paint risk-reduction requirements fails to meet those standards. When such a failure occurs and a tenant submits a written request, the landlord must either release the tenant from the lease immediately and cover reasonable relocation costs (up to $2,500) to a lead-safe unit, or provide valid documentation within three business days showing the property actually meets the applicable risk-reduction standard. If the landlord does neither, the tenant may pursue the matter in District Court, where lease termination, relocation expense reimbursement, and attorney's fees can all be sought. This provision operates alongside, and does not replace, any other legal or administrative remedies that may be available.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Md. Real Prop. § 8-215, operators of properties covered by Maryland's lead paint risk-reduction rules are expected to maintain current, valid compliance documentation at all times. When a tenant submits a written release request citing a failure to meet the applicable standard, a compliant owner typically responds within the three-business-day window by producing a valid risk-reduction certificate, a lead-free certificate, or an inspector's verification report confirming qualifying work was completed. Owners who cannot produce such documentation within that window face exposure to District Court proceedings that may include lease termination orders, reimbursement of up to $2,500 in tenant relocation costs, and the tenant's reasonable attorney's fees.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-215 of the Maryland Real Property Code gives tenants living in properties subject to lead paint risk-reduction requirements a specific mechanism to exit a lease when the owner has failed to meet the applicable standard. A tenant who submits a written request—including any risk-reduction certification information provided by the Department of the Environment—triggers a three-business-day window in which the owner must either release the tenant and cover reasonable relocation expenses up to $2,500, or produce valid compliance documentation. If the owner does neither, § 8-215(c) allows the tenant to file an action in District Court seeking lease termination, relocation expense reimbursement, and attorney's fees; tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help evaluate whether this path or another available remedy is appropriate.
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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