Maryland Eviction Notice Template (Real Prop. § 8-401)
Before a landlord can file an eviction case, most states require a written notice that tells the tenant what is wrong and how long they have to fix it or move out. Answer the questions below to create a clear, professional notice — then check it against your state and local rules before you serve it.
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Free to preview[Landlord or property manager name]
[Your address and phone for the tenant to reach you]
October 15, 2026
To: [Tenant name(s)]
and all other occupants of
[Rental property address]
Re: [Type of notice] — [Rental property address]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at [Rental property address]. Type of notice: [Type of notice].
The reason for this notice is as follows:
[Reason for this notice]
Within [Notice period in days] days after this notice is delivered to you, you must [What the tenant must do within that time]. If this notice is delivered to you on October 15, 2026, that period ends on October 15, 2026.
This notice is given under the Real Property Article of the Maryland Code, including § 8-401, which requires written notice to the tenant before a landlord may file a claim for possession in District Court.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
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How eviction notices work in Maryland
Maryland requires written notice before most evictions. For unpaid rent, Real Property § 8-401 requires a written notice of intent to file on a form created by the Maryland Judiciary, giving the tenant 10 days to pay. For a breach of a lease that allows early repossession, § 8-402.1 requires 30 days' written notice, or 14 days when the breach involves a clear and imminent danger of serious harm. Ending a month-to-month tenancy takes 60 days' written notice under § 8-402.
The nonpayment notice may be sent by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, affixed to the door, or sent by email, text or tenant portal if the tenant has chosen electronic delivery. The landlord's court complaint must state the date the notice was provided, and the tenant can challenge that date. Keep a copy of the notice and proof of how it was delivered.
If the tenant doesn't pay, cure or move out, the landlord files a case in District Court. In nonpayment cases, a tenant can redeem the tenancy by paying all past-due amounts and court costs before the eviction is carried out, unless three judgments for unpaid rent were entered in the prior 12 months. Under § 8-216, a landlord may not lock out a tenant or cut off heat, water, electricity or gas; possession may be taken only through a warrant of restitution executed by a sheriff or constable.
What to do, step by step
Check your state and local rules first
Look up the notice period, required wording and delivery method for your state, county and city. Many places set different periods for unpaid rent, lease violations and ending a tenancy, and some cities add their own just-cause rules.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above. Name every adult tenant on the lease, state the facts plainly and enter the exact number of days your rules require.
Serve it the way your state requires
States specify how a notice must be delivered — commonly hand delivery, leaving it with an adult at the home, posting and mailing, or certified mail. A notice served the wrong way may have to be redone.
Record how and when you served it
Write down the date, time, method and who delivered it, and keep a copy of the notice. Courts often ask for this proof of service.
Wait out the full notice period
Don't change the locks, remove belongings or shut off utilities. If the tenant fixes the problem, accept it as your rules require; if not, the next step is filing an eviction case in court.
What if the tenant doesn't respond to the notice?
An eviction notice is not an eviction. It is the written warning most states require before you can go to court. If the notice period ends and the tenant hasn't paid, fixed the violation or moved out, the next step is to file an eviction case — often called an unlawful detainer or summary possession case — with your local court.
Until a judge rules in your favor and a court officer such as a sheriff or marshal carries out the order, the tenant has the right to stay. Changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, cutting off utilities or otherwise forcing them out is a so-called self-help eviction, which is illegal in nearly every state and can expose you to damages.
Courts look closely at the notice itself. If the period was too short, the wording missed something your state requires or it was delivered the wrong way, the case can be dismissed and you may have to start over. Your local court's self-help center or a landlord association can tell you what your court expects.
Example Maryland eviction notice
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Greenway Rentals LLC
PO Box 2210, Lakeview, MN 55401 · (555) 201-4478
October 5, 2026
To: Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks
and all other occupants of
56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Re: Notice to pay rent or quit — 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Dear Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks,
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402. Type of notice: Notice to pay rent or quit.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
Rent of $1,450 for the month of September 2026, due on September 1, 2026, has not been paid, despite a reminder sent by email on September 10.
The total amount of rent now due is $1,450.00.
Within 14 days after this notice is delivered to you, you must pay the full amount of rent owed or move out of the property. If this notice is delivered to you on October 5, 2026, that period ends on October 19, 2026.
This notice is given under the Real Property Article of the Maryland Code, including § 8-401, which requires written notice to the tenant before a landlord may file a claim for possession in District Court.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
Greenway Rentals LLC
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
Frequently asked questions
What notice does a Maryland landlord give before filing for rent?
A written notice of intent to file, using the form created by the Maryland Judiciary. The tenant has 10 days after the notice is provided to pay. The notice can be mailed with a certificate of mailing, posted on the door, or sent electronically if the tenant opted in.
How much notice for a lease violation in Maryland?
Thirty days' written notice under § 8-402.1, when the lease allows the landlord to repossess for a breach. If the breach involves behavior that shows a clear and imminent danger of serious harm to people or property, the notice period is 14 days. The court must find the breach substantial and that it warrants eviction.
How much notice ends a Maryland month-to-month tenancy?
At least 60 days' written notice before the end of the tenancy, under § 8-402. A 30-day period can apply when the landlord has received certain foreclosure-related notices, but that exception doesn't apply in Baltimore City or Montgomery County or to landlords who offer five or more units for rent in Maryland.
Can a Maryland tenant stop an eviction by paying?
In most nonpayment cases, yes. Under § 8-401, a tenant can pay all past-due amounts set by the court plus court costs and fees at any time before the eviction is carried out. The right doesn't apply to a tenant who had three judgments for unpaid rent entered in the 12 months before the case was filed.
How much notice do I have to give a tenant?
It depends on your state, sometimes your city, the type of notice and the lease. Periods for unpaid rent can be as short as a few days or as long as a month, and notices ending a month-to-month tenancy are often 30 days or more. Check your state's landlord-tenant law and any local ordinance before serving.
Is an eviction notice the same as being evicted?
No. A notice only starts the process. If the tenant doesn't comply, the landlord must file a case in court and win a judgment. Only a court order, carried out by a sheriff, marshal or similar officer, can legally remove a tenant from the property.
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