Cal. Civ. Code § 7-306
Md. Code, Hous. & Cmty. Dev. — tenant-facing provisions (Titles 5, 7; §§ 4-2911, 4-2914, 4-2918)
Operative Text
(a) In connection with a protected action, an owner: (1) may not terminate or alter the terms and conditions of a lease entered into before the effective date of the protected action; (2) may not interfere with the efforts of individual tenants to obtain housing subsidies or other public assistance; (3) may not discriminate based on source of income or receipt of a housing subsidy; (4) may not interfere with the rights of a tenant to occupy an assisted unit under an existing lease or applicable federal, State, or local law; and (5) shall cooperate with a tenant to execute all necessary documents to enable the payment of housing subsidies to or for the tenant. (b) If the owner has interfered with a tenant’s application for a housing subsidy or other public assistance, the nonpayment of any amount of rent for an assisted unit in excess of 30% of the tenant’s income is not grounds for the owner to terminate the lease or sue for possession of the leased property.
Maryland Code § 7-306 establishes protections for tenants in connection with a 'protected action' — generally a change in a property's status or ownership. Under this provision, an owner is prohibited from terminating or changing lease terms, discriminating against tenants based on their source of income or receipt of housing subsidies, or interfering with a tenant's efforts to obtain public assistance. Owners are also affirmatively required to cooperate in executing documents needed to facilitate housing subsidy payments. If an owner has interfered with a tenant's subsidy application, any resulting rent shortfall above 30% of the tenant's income cannot be used as a basis for eviction or a possession lawsuit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Md. Code Ann. § 7-306 are generally expected to keep existing lease terms intact during a protected action, refrain from any conduct that discourages or obstructs tenants from applying for housing subsidies, and actively assist in completing paperwork that enables subsidy payments to flow. Compliant property managers do not treat a tenant's use of a housing voucher or other public assistance as a negative factor in any lease-related decision. Owners who interfere with a subsidy application may find that any resulting rent shortfall is legally insulated from eviction proceedings under subsection (b).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 7-306 of the Maryland Housing and Community Development Code gives tenants the right to pursue housing subsidies and other public assistance without interference from their owner, and it prohibits discrimination based on how rent is paid. If an owner has obstructed a subsidy application and rent falls short of the full amount — but does not exceed 30% of the tenant's income — that shortfall generally cannot be used to terminate the lease or bring a possession action against the tenant. Tenants who believe these rights have been violated may consider documenting the interference, contacting a local tenant-rights organization, or exploring complaint options available under Maryland 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.
Effective Timeline
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