Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for District Court of Maryland — Baltimore City rent court, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Baltimore the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. District Court of Maryland — Baltimore City rent court is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. Baltimore City and Baltimore County are different governments. Use the City DHCD stack only if the unit is in the City.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. Baltimore City DHCD is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
What extra rules does Baltimore City have?
Maryland is the floor. Baltimore City has added local rental-licensing and tenant-protection rules. Housing and 311 are the City doors. District Court hears rent court / failure-to-pay cases. Baltimore County is a different government.
The Baltimore layer
Baltimore City and Baltimore County are different governments. Use the City DHCD stack only if the unit is in the City.
Maryland Real Property landlord and tenant title (Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-101 to 8-604) is the Maryland floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Baltimore questions
Can my landlord in Baltimore evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. District Court of Maryland — Baltimore City rent court is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Baltimore?
That number is in Maryland Real Property landlord and tenant title, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
What extra rules does Baltimore City have?
Maryland is the floor. Baltimore City has added local rental-licensing and tenant-protection rules. Housing and 311 are the City doors. District Court hears rent court / failure-to-pay cases. Baltimore County is a different government.
What number should I call in Baltimore?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. Baltimore City DHCD does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org