Cal. Civ. Code § 8A-1601
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8A — Mobile Homes
Operative Text
(a) In an action by the park owner for eviction based on nonpayment of rent or for recovery of unpaid rent, the resident may raise: (1) A defense of material noncompliance with this title if, before the due date of rent, the resident gave to the park owner written notice that based on the noncompliance the resident did not intend to pay rent and specified in detail the provision of noncompliance; or (2) Any other legal or equitable defense. (b) If, in an action by the park owner for eviction based on nonpayment of rent, the resident raises a defense other than payment, the resident may petition the circuit court for the appointment of a trustee to receive the rent of the resident, apply the same to correcting the deficiency complained of and make a full accounting thereof to the court. The court shall give the parties a reasonable opportunity to present evidence as to the controversy before a trustee is appointed.
Section 8A-1601 of Maryland's Real Property Code governs what defenses a mobile home park resident may raise when a park owner sues for eviction or unpaid rent based on nonpayment. A resident who gave the park owner written notice before the rent due date—specifying that the owner's own noncompliance with the title was the reason rent would be withheld—may assert that noncompliance as a defense. Residents may also raise any other legal or equitable defense, and in eviction actions they may ask a circuit court to appoint a trustee to collect and hold rent, apply it toward fixing the complained-of problem, and report back to the court.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8A-1601, park owners pursuing eviction or rent-recovery actions should be aware that residents have a statutory right to raise the owner's own noncompliance with Title 8A as a defense, provided the resident delivered written notice before the rent due date. Compliant operators generally maintain records showing they have met all obligations under the title, so that any such defense can be addressed with documentary evidence. When a resident raises a non-payment defense in court, operators should be prepared for the possibility that the circuit court may appoint a trustee to manage rent funds while the underlying dispute is resolved.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8A-1601 gives mobile home park residents specific tools to use if a park owner sues for eviction or unpaid rent. If you gave the park owner written notice before rent was due—clearly identifying the owner's noncompliance with Title 8A as the reason you were withholding rent—that noncompliance may be raised as a defense in court. Residents facing such actions may also petition the circuit court for appointment of a trustee to hold rent and direct it toward correcting the problem; tenant-rights organizations familiar with Maryland manufactured housing law can help residents understand what options may be available to them.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.