(a) Evictions described in subsection (b) of this section are called “retaliatory evictions”.
(b) No landlord may evict a tenant of any residential property in Montgomery County because:
(1) The tenant has filed a complaint against the landlord with any public agency;
(2) The tenant has filed a lawsuit against the landlord; or
(3) The tenant is a member of any tenants’ organization.
(c) If the judgment is in favor of the tenant in any eviction proceeding for any of the defenses in subsection (b) of this section, the court may enter judgment for reasonable attorney fees and court costs against the landlord.
(d) Nothing in this section restricts the authority of Montgomery County to legislate in the area of landlord–tenant affairs.
(e) In addition to any other remedies provided under this title, Montgomery County may, by local law, establish authorization for a local agency to invoke enforcement procedures upon an administrative determination that a proposed eviction is retaliatory as prohibited by State or local law. These enforcement procedures may include injunctive or other equitable relief.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Subtitle 2 - Residential Leases
Section 8-201 - Applicability of Subtitle
Section 8-202 - Lease Option Agreements
Section 8-203 - Security Deposits
Section 8-203.1 - Security Deposit Receipt
Section 8-204 - Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment
Section 8-205 - Landlord to Give Tenant Receipt
Section 8-205.1 - Payments for Water or Sewer Utility Services to Landlord
Section 8-206 - Retaliatory Evictions in Montgomery County
Section 8-208.1 - Retaliatory Actions
Section 8-208.2 - Retaliatory Actions for Informing Landlord of Lead Poisoning Hazards
Section 8-208.3 - Landlord to Maintain Record of Rent Paid
Section 8-210 - Information to Be Posted or Provided by Landlord
Section 8-211 - Repair of Dangerous Defects; Rent Escrow
Section 8-211.1 - Failure of Lessor to Remove Lead-Based Paint; Rent Escrow
Section 8-212.1 - Liability of Military Personnel Receiving Certain Orders
Section 8-212.2 - Limitation of Liability of a Tenant for Rent
Section 8-212.3 - Deduction From Rent for Utility Payments by Tenant Owed by Landlord
Section 8-213 - Applications for Leases; Deposits
Section 8-214 - Keeping of Household Pets by Elderly Persons in Montgomery County
Section 8-215 - Termination of Lease for Failure to Comply With Applicable Risk Reduction
Section 8-216 - Prohibition on Nonjudicial Evictions by Willful Diminution of Services