Section 6-820 - Notice of tenant's rights. - Maryland Statutes

§ 6-820. Notice of tenant's rights.
 

(a)  Required; schedule.- Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, an owner of an affected property shall give to the tenant of the affected property a notice, prepared by the Department, of the tenant's rights under §§ 6-817 and 6-819 of this subtitle, according to the following schedule: 

(1) At least 25% of the owner's affected properties by May 25, 1996; 

(2) At least 50% of the owner's affected properties by August 25, 1996; 

(3) At least 75% of the owner's affected properties by November 25, 1996; and 

(4) 100% of the owner's affected properties by February 25, 1997. 

(b)  Time of notice.- On or after February 24, 1996, an owner of an affected property shall give to the tenant of the affected property a notice, prepared by the Department, of the tenant's rights under §§ 6-817 and 6-819 of this subtitle upon the execution of a lease or the inception of a tenancy. 

(c)  Biennial notice required.- An owner of an affected property shall give to the tenant of the affected property a notice, prepared by the Department, of the tenant's rights under §§ 6-817 and 6-819 of this subtitle at least every 2 years after last giving the notice to the tenant. 

(d)  Duty to provide verified inspection certificate.- The owner shall include, with the notice of the tenant's rights that is provided to a tenant under this section upon the execution of a lease or the inception of a tenancy, a copy of the current verified inspection certificate for the affected property prepared under § 6-818 of this subtitle. 

(e)  Written notice by certified mail or other approved method; documentation.-  

(1) Notice given under this section shall be written, and shall be sent by: 

(i) Certified mail, return receipt requested; or 

(ii) A verifiable method approved by the Department. 

(2) When giving notice to a tenant under this section, the owner shall provide documentation of the notice to the Department in a manner acceptable to the Department. 

(3) A notice required to be given to a tenant under this section shall be sent to a party or parties identified as the lessee in a written lease in effect for an affected property or, if there is no written lease, the party or parties to whom the property was rented. 

(f)  Notice upon transfer of legal title.- A person who has acquired, or will acquire, an affected property shall give the notice required under this section to the tenant of the affected property: 

(1) Before transfer of legal title; or 

(2) Within 15 days following transfer of legal title. 
 

[1994, ch. 114, § 1; 1997, ch. 616; 2000, ch. 453; 2008, ch. 444.]