Cal. Civ. Code § 8A-1301
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8A — Mobile Homes
Operative Text
(a) (1) For any reason listed in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a park owner may not: (i) Bring or threaten to bring an action for possession against a resident; (ii) Arbitrarily increase the rent or decrease the services to which a resident has been entitled; or (iii) Terminate a periodic tenancy. (2) A park owner may not take an action that is listed under paragraph (1) of this subsection for any of the following reasons: (i) Because the resident or the resident’s agent has provided written or actual notice of a good faith complaint about an alleged violation of the rental agreement, violation of law, or condition on the leased premises that is a substantial threat to the health or safety of occupants to: 1. The park owner; or 2. Any public agency against the park owner; (ii) Because the resident or the resident’s agent has: 1. Filed a lawsuit against the park owner; or 2. Testified or participated in a lawsuit involving the park owner; or (iii) Because the resident has participated in any tenant’s organization. (b) (1) A park owner’s violation of subsection (a) of this section is a “retaliatory action”. (2) A resident may raise a retaliatory action of a park owner: (i) In defense to an action for possession; or (ii) As an affirmative claim for damages resulting from a retaliatory action of a park owner occurring during a tenancy. (c) If in any proceeding the court finds in favor of the resident because the park owner engaged in a retaliatory action, the court may enter judgment against the park owner for damages not to exceed the equivalent of 3 months’ rent, reasonable attorney’s fees, and court costs. (d) An action by a park owner may not be deemed to be retaliatory for purposes of this section if the alleged retaliatory action occurs more than 6 months after a resident’s action that is protected under subsection (a)(2) of this section. (e) As long as a park owner’s termination of a tenancy is not the result of a retaliatory action, nothing in this section may be interpreted to alter the park owner’s or the resident’s rights arising from breach of any provision of a rental agreement or rule, or either party’s right to terminate or not renew a rental agreement pursuant to the terms of the rental agreement or the provisions of other applicable law. (f) If any county has enacted or enacts an ordinance comparable in subject matter to this section, this section shall supersede the provisions of the ordinance to the extent that the ordinance provides less protection to a resident.
Maryland Real Prop. § 8A-1301 prohibits mobile home park owners from retaliating against residents who exercise certain protected rights. Specifically, a park owner may not seek eviction, arbitrarily raise rent, cut services, or end a periodic tenancy because a resident complained about lease violations or health-and-safety conditions, participated in litigation involving the park, or joined a tenant organization. If a court finds that a park owner engaged in such retaliatory conduct, the resident may be awarded damages up to three months' rent, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. The protection generally applies when the alleged retaliation occurs within six months of the resident's protected activity.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Md. Real Prop. § 8A-1301, compliant park operators are careful to ensure that any rent increase, service change, eviction action, or tenancy termination is grounded in legitimate, documented business or lease-based reasons rather than a resident's protected activity. Operators generally maintain clear records showing the independent basis for any adverse action, particularly when that action follows a resident complaint, lawsuit, or participation in a tenant organization. Because the statute provides a six-month window during which retaliatory intent may be presumed, operators benefit from thorough documentation of the timeline and rationale for any significant decisions affecting a resident's tenancy.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8A-1301 of the Maryland Real Property Code gives mobile home park residents the right to complain about lease violations or health-and-safety hazards, participate in lawsuits, and join tenant organizations without fear of eviction, rent hikes, service cuts, or tenancy termination in response. If a park owner takes one of those adverse actions within six months of a resident's protected activity, the resident may raise retaliation as a defense in an eviction proceeding or pursue it as an affirmative claim for damages—up to three months' rent plus attorney's fees and court costs. Residents who believe they are experiencing retaliation may wish to document all relevant communications and timelines, and can explore options such as consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Maryland manufactured-housing 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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