Cal. Civ. Code § 8-317
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
If goods are levied on under distress and remain on the leased premises and the officer is unable to gain access to the goods without force, the court may issue an order authorizing the officer to enter the premises by force.
Under Maryland Real Property § 8-317, when a distress levy has been placed on personal property located on leased premises and an officer cannot access that property without using force, a court has the authority to issue an order permitting the officer to enter the premises forcibly. This provision creates a judicial check on forced entry — the officer cannot act unilaterally but must first obtain court authorization. The rule balances the enforcement of a distress levy against the tenant's interest in the security of their home.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Maryland Real Property § 8-317 is relevant to landlords who have pursued a distress action to recover unpaid rent by levying on a tenant's goods. If those goods remain on the leased premises and the enforcement officer cannot access them without force, the process requires a court order before any forced entry occurs — the officer does not have independent authority to break in. Compliant operators generally understand that the distress remedy involves judicial oversight at this stage and coordinate with legal counsel familiar with Maryland distress procedures.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 8-317 of the Maryland Real Property Code, a tenant whose goods have been levied on through a distress action retains a meaningful protection: no officer may forcibly enter the leased premises to reach those goods without first obtaining a court order. This means a tenant has an opportunity for the matter to come before a court before any forced entry takes place. Tenants who believe a distress levy has been improperly initiated or that a forced-entry order is being sought without proper basis may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Maryland landlord-tenant law.
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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