Cal. Civ. Code § 8-5A-03
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) If a tenant or legal occupant is a victim of abuse, the tenant may terminate the tenant’s future liability under a residential lease under § 8–5A–02 of this subtitle if the tenant provides the landlord with written notice by first–class mail or hand delivery of an intent to vacate the leased premises, including the tenant’s or legal occupant’s status as a victim of abuse. (b) The notice provided under subsection (a) of this section shall include: (1) A copy of a protective order issued for the benefit of the tenant or legal occupant under § 4–506 of the Family Law Article; (2) A copy of a peace order issued for the benefit of the tenant or legal occupant under § 3–1505 of the Courts Article for which the underlying act was an act of abuse; or (3) A copy of a report by a qualified third party, provided that: (i) The name and physical description of the alleged perpetrator are redacted; and (ii) The report was signed by the qualified third party within the preceding 60 days.
Under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-5A-03, a tenant or legal occupant who is a victim of abuse may end their future obligations under a residential lease by giving the landlord written notice—sent by first-class mail or hand-delivered—of their intent to vacate and their status as a victim. That notice must be accompanied by supporting documentation: either a protective order, a qualifying peace order, or a signed report from a qualified third party prepared within the past 60 days (with the alleged perpetrator's identifying information redacted). This provision creates a legal pathway for abuse victims to exit a lease without incurring ongoing liability.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-5A-03, compliant operators recognize that a tenant who is a victim of abuse may terminate future lease liability upon proper written notice and documentation. Operators generally review the accompanying paperwork—protective order, qualifying peace order, or a redacted third-party report signed within the preceding 60 days—to confirm it meets the statutory requirements before processing the early termination. Maintaining clear internal procedures for handling these sensitive notices helps ensure that documentation is handled confidentially and that the termination process proceeds in accordance with Maryland law.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-5A-03 of Maryland's Real Property Code gives tenants and legal occupants who are victims of abuse the right to terminate their future lease liability by providing written notice and qualifying documentation to their landlord. Acceptable documentation includes a protective order, a qualifying peace order, or a report from a qualified third party that was signed within the last 60 days and has the alleged perpetrator's name and physical description redacted. Tenants who believe this provision applies to their situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand which documentation option may be available to them and how the notice process generally works.
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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