Cal. Civ. Code § 5-101
Md. Code, Hous. & Cmty. Dev. — tenant-facing provisions (Titles 5, 7; §§ 4-2911, 4-2914, 4-2918)
Operative Text
(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) “Director” means the Director of the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs. (c) “Office” means the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs. (d) (1) “Tenant” means a residential tenant. (2) “Tenant” includes: (i) a subtenant; (ii) a lessee; (iii) a sublessee; and (iv) any other individual, other than an owner, who is entitled to the possession or occupancy, or the benefits of possession or occupancy, of any residential rental unit in the State.
Maryland's Hous. & Cmty. Dev. § 5-101 establishes the definitions that govern the state's tenant-landlord law, including who qualifies as a 'tenant.' The definition is intentionally broad, covering not just primary lessees but also subtenants, sublessees, and anyone else—other than an owner—who has a right to occupy or benefit from occupying a residential rental unit in Maryland.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 5-101, property owners and managers should recognize that the term 'tenant' extends beyond the person who signed the primary lease. Subtenants and sublessees who occupy a unit may carry the same legal standing as a direct lessee, meaning obligations owed to 'tenants' under Maryland law generally apply to these individuals as well. Operators typically account for this broad definition when drafting occupancy policies and responding to complaints filed with the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 5-101 defines who is protected as a 'tenant' under Maryland's residential landlord-tenant law, and the definition is wide-ranging. Subtenants, sublessees, and others with a lawful right to occupy a rental unit—not just the person named on the lease—may be entitled to the same protections the law affords. Those who believe their occupancy rights are at issue can contact the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs or a local tenant-rights organization to understand how this definition applies to their situation.
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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