Maryland Eviction Notice (Notice to Pay or Quit)

Property Address: [[Property Full Address]], [[City]], MD [[ZIP Code]]
Landlord / Agent: [[Landlord or Property Manager Full Name]]
Landlord Address: [[Landlord Mailing Address]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone]] | Email: [[Landlord Email]]

Date of Notice: [[Date of Notice]]

TO (Tenant(s)): [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
[[Tenant Current Address (Premises)]]
[[City]], Maryland [[ZIP Code]]

RE: Notice to Pay Rent or Quit, Failure to Pay Rent

Notice to Pay or Quit (Non-Payment of Rent)

You are hereby notified that you are in default under your rental agreement for failure to pay rent due for the Premises described above.

Amount Owed (Rent Only): $[[Total Rent Owed Amount]]
Period Covered: Rent due for the period [[Start of Period]] through [[End of Period]]
Additional Details (if any): [[e.g. "Rent for the month of [[Month Year]]"]]

Payment Deadline: You have until the end of the next day after you receive this notice to pay the full amount owed or to vacate and surrender possession of the Premises.

If you fail to pay the full amount or vacate by the deadline, the landlord may file a complaint for Failure to Pay Rent in the District Court of Maryland for the county where the property is located. A court hearing will be scheduled. This notice is not a court order; only a court judgment and writ of restitution (eviction order) authorize removal from the property.

Payment Instructions
Pay the full amount in certified funds (cashier's check, money order) or as otherwise agreed to:
- In person at: [[Payment Location Address]]
- By mail to: [[Landlord Payment Address]]
- Other accepted method: [[e.g. electronic payment link or account]]

Partial payment does not cure the default unless the landlord agrees in writing to accept less than the full amount and to reinstate the tenancy.

Tenant Rights and Important Information (Maryland)

1. This notice is provided pursuant to Maryland Real Property Article §8-401 for non-payment of rent. Maryland does not impose a statutory minimum notice period for non-payment cases prior to filing (unlike many other states).

2. Upon proper service of this notice, the tenant has until the end of the next day after receipt to pay the rent owed in full to avoid the filing of a Failure to Pay Rent action in District Court.

3. If the landlord files in court, you will receive a summons and complaint with the court date. You have the right to appear, contest the amount, raise defenses, and request a trial.

4. At any time before eviction by the sheriff, a tenant generally has the right to redeem (pay to stay) by paying all rent due, court costs, and fees (subject to limited exceptions).

5. Self-help evictions are strictly prohibited in Maryland. The landlord may not change locks, shut off utilities, remove doors or windows, or use any other means to force you out without a court order and sheriff enforcement.

6. For other breaches of the lease (not non-payment) or holdover after lease expiration, a 30-day written notice is generally required before filing for possession (see additional section below).

For Breach of Lease or Holdover (Non-Monetary or End of Term)

If this notice is for breach other than non-payment or for holdover:

You are in breach of the lease for: [[Describe breach, e.g. unauthorized occupants, damage, violation of rules, or holdover after expiration]]

Cure or Vacate Deadline: You have 30 days from receipt of this notice to cure the breach (if curable) or to vacate the Premises. If the breach is not cured or you do not vacate, the landlord may file an action for possession in the District Court.

Amount or Other Details (if applicable): [[N/A or describe any damages claimed]]

Landlord may pursue all remedies available under Maryland law, including a judgment for possession, unpaid amounts, and costs.

Proof of Service (Landlord / Agent Use)

This notice was served on the tenant(s) on [[Date Served]] by the following method(s) permitted under Maryland law:

• [ ] Personal delivery to tenant at the Premises
• [ ] Personal delivery to a person of suitable age and discretion at the Premises + mailing
• [ ] Posting in a conspicuous place on the Premises + mailing first class
• [ ] Other method authorized by court or agreement: [[Describe]]

Served by: [[Server Full Name / Agent]]
Signature of Server: _______________________________ Date: [[Service Date]]

Mailing (if used): Mailed on [[Mailing Date]] to the address above by first-class mail.

Landlord Certification

I certify under penalty of perjury that the information in this notice is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, that the amounts claimed are for rent actually due and unpaid, and that I have a good faith belief that grounds exist for the relief requested.

Landlord / Authorized Agent Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Date of Notice]]

Printed Name: [[Landlord or Agent Name]]
Title: [[Landlord / Property Manager / Agent]]

Additional Tenant Protections and Notes

1. Temperature restrictions: During certain cold weather periods, additional restrictions or procedures may apply to evictions.

2. Payment after filing: Tenants may be able to pay amounts owed plus costs at or before trial or judgment in many cases.

3. Legal aid: Tenants facing eviction may contact Maryland Legal Aid, the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, or local tenant rights organizations for assistance.

4. Court filing required: Only a District Court judgment for possession and a subsequent writ of restitution authorize the sheriff to remove a tenant. This notice alone does not authorize physical removal.

5. Right to redeem: In many failure-to-pay cases, a tenant may redeem the premises by paying all rent, late fees permitted by law, court costs, and attorney's fees before the sheriff executes the writ.

6. Defenses and counterclaims: Tenants may raise defenses such as improper notice, payment, habitability issues (where permitted), retaliation, or discrimination at the court hearing.

Landlord next steps after service (if unpaid): File the Failure to Pay Rent complaint (form available from Maryland courts) in the appropriate District Court, pay filing fees, and attend the scheduled hearing. Provide proof of service of this notice at the hearing.

Detailed Service Methods (Maryland Requirements)

Proper service is essential. Acceptable methods typically include:

1. Personal delivery to the tenant at the leased premises.

2. Personal delivery to a person of suitable age and discretion residing at or present on the premises, followed by mailing.

3. Posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the premises and mailing a copy by first-class mail to the tenant at the premises (or last known address).

4. Any other method authorized by the court or agreed by the parties in writing.

Landlord must retain proof of service (affidavit, certificate, or witness statement) for presentation to the court.

Sample Court Process Overview (Non-Binding Summary)

• Landlord files complaint after notice period expires without cure.
• Court issues summons setting a hearing (often within a short time frame).
• Tenant may file an answer or appear to contest.
• If judgment for landlord, a writ of restitution may issue after any required waiting period.
• Sheriff schedules and executes the eviction if tenant does not vacate.

This overview is for informational purposes only. Follow current Maryland Rules and local District Court practices.

Itemized Rent Breakdown (attach if more detail needed)

Other Charges (if separately claimed and permitted): [[Late fees or other per lease, note any statutory limits]] $[[Other Amount]]

Grand Total Claimed at Time of Notice: $[[Grand Total]], -

Sources (as of 2026-06-27)
- Md. Code, Real Property Article §8-401 (Failure to pay rent; notice requirements; court process).
- Md. Code, Real Property Article §8-402 (Tenant holding over; breach of lease actions).
- Maryland District Court forms and procedures for Failure to Pay Rent and summary ejectment.
- General prohibitions on self-help evictions under Maryland law.

> ⚠️ Template example, not professional (legal/financial/medical) advice. Figures and clauses must be verified for the applicable jurisdiction and kept current. This is a sample notice form only. Landlords must follow all current Maryland statutes, court rules, and local procedures exactly. Service methods, timing, and forms are strictly regulated. Consult a qualified Maryland attorney or the Maryland courts for compliance. All user inputs are [[Token Name]] placeholders. Court action is required to obtain an eviction order.

Itemized Rent Breakdown (attach if more detail needed)