Maryland’s Tenant Possessions Recovery Act Increases Tenant Rights
Maryland’s legal landscape took a significant step toward a more equitable and humane eviction process in 2025 with the passage of House Bill 767 (HB 767), also known as the Tenant Possessions Recovery Act. This legislation addresses a long-standing gap in access to justice by fundamentally changing how a tenant’s personal belongings are handled during and after an eviction. For years, the standard practice in many Maryland jurisdictions involved placing a tenant’s property on the public curb, often leading to the immediate loss or destruction of essential items such as medications, identification documents, and family heirlooms.
By reforming these procedures, HB 767 ensures that the legal process respects the dignity of the individual and protects the assets a tenant needs to achieve future stability. The Act enhances access to justice by replacing the uncertainty of the eviction timeline with a mandated, multi-channel notice system. This change gives tenants a meaningful opportunity to seek legal counsel, arrange for the relocation of their belongings, or navigate the complex overlapping state and local regulations that govern these proceedings. Furthermore, the legislation provides a clear legal framework that empowers tenants to protect their rights by recovering their property rather than facing the immediate disposal of their life’s work.
The key provisions of the Tenant Possessions Recovery Act went into effect on October 1, 2025. Under this law, the process for regaining possession, whether through Summary Ejectment, Tenant Holdover, Breach of Lease, or Wrongful Detainer, now includes stricter notice and handling requirements. Landlords are required to provide specific pre-tenancy and pre-eviction guidance, ensuring that tenants are informed of their rights and the specific timeline of the legal process.
The law requires landlords to provide notice of the actual eviction date 14 days in advance and by mail and posting, allowing tenants to move their belongings beforehand.Once an eviction is executed, the law now provides a 10-day recovery period during which the tenant may reclaim their possessions from the rental unit or a secure location. This protection is bolstered by specific mandates, such as the pet protection obligations that must be observed during the eviction process. The law also prohibits dumping of possessions on the curb and prohibits landlords from charing tenants for storing their belongings during the 10-day recovery period. Finally, if the landlord sells items after the 10-day period, they are obligated to return proceeds, if they exceeded back rent or moving costs. By shifting away from the immediate curb-side disposal of property, the passage of HB 767 ensures that Maryland’s justice system balances a landlord’s right to repossess property with a tenant’s fundamental right to their personal belongings.