Can a domestic violence victim end a lease early in Maryland?

In Maryland, a tenant who is, or whose legal occupant is, a victim of abuse may end future liability under a residential lease by giving the landlord written notice of intent to vacate with a copy of a protective order, a peace order or a qualified third party’s report, and then has 30 days to vacate. The notice goes by first-class mail or hand delivery and must state the tenant’s or legal occupant’s status as a victim of abuse; a qualified third party’s report must have the alleged perpetrator’s name and physical description redacted and must have been signed within the preceding 60 days. The tenant is responsible for rent only from the notice until the tenant vacates, up to a maximum of 30 days, and a tenant who leaves sooner must send the landlord a signed, notarized notice that the tenant has vacated or is responsible for the full 30 days. The termination does not end the future liability of a tenant who is the respondent in the action that produced the protective order or peace order. A victim whose protective order or peace order requires the respondent to stay away from or vacate the residence may ask in writing for the locks to be changed; the landlord must change them by the close of the next business day or the tenant may have a certified locksmith change them, and the landlord may charge a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost. This is Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-5A-02, 8-5A-03, 8-5A-05.

WhatMaryland
Ending the lease early30 days to vacate after notice with an order or report

Source

Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-5A-02, 8-5A-03, 8-5A-05

Read the statute in the Maryland Code (Maryland General Assembly): mgaleg.maryland.gov.

Checked against the statute on November 15, 2026.

This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.

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Seayora keeps every lease’s term, rent and signers in one record and dates every change to it. This page states the state’s rule so a lease’s own early-termination and sublet clauses can be checked against it before the lease is signed.

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