For purposes of breaking your lease based on being a victim of abuse,¹ the law defines “abuse” as being the victim of:

1. assault in the 1^st degree or 2^nd degree;
2. an act that places you in fear of immediate serious bodily harm or actually causes you serious bodily harm;
3. rape in the 1^st degree or 2^nd degree;
4. attempted rape in any degree;
5. sexual offense in the 3^rd degree or 4^th degree;
6. attempted sexual offense in any degree;
7. stalking, which includes the use of a tracking device or electronic communication as defined by law;
8. false imprisonment; or
9. revenge porn.²

¹ MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-01(b)
² MD Code, Fam. Law § 4-501(b)(1)

If you (the tenant) or a legal occupant in your home are a victim of abuse and you want to end your lease early, you must give written notice to the landlord that states your intention to leave (vacate) the residence. The notice must also include a copy of one of the following documents as proof of the abuse:¹

1. a final protective order;
2. a final peace order; or
3. a copy of a report by a qualified third party that:
   • redacts the name and description of the abuser; and
   • was signed by a qualified third party within the previous 60 days.²

A “qualified third party” is defined as:

• a doctor who is legally authorized to practice medicine;
• a psychologist who is legally authorized to practice psychology;
• a social worker or caseworker at a health or social services agency or provider; or
• an advocate from a domestic violence or sexual assault prevention or assistance program.³

For more information on what has to be included in the qualified third party’s report, see What does a report from a qualified third party need to include?

¹ MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-02(b)
² MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-03(b)
³ MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-01(g)

To end your lease early, you must give your landlord the proper written notice and documentation. You can give notice to your landlord by either:

• hand delivery; or
• first-class mail.¹

¹ MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-03(a)

You are only responsible for rent from the date your landlord is notified of your plan to end your lease up until the date you provide written notice that you left (“vacated”) the residence.¹ Under this law, your landlord is considered to be notified that you vacated the residence on either:

1. the date your written notice saying you vacated was postmarked, if delivered by first-class mail; or
2. the date your written notice saying you vacated was hand-delivered, if delivered to the landlord in person.²

If you fail to give your landlord notice that you have vacated the residence, then the landlord can charge you for the full month’s rent.³ Remember, once you notify the landlord that you want to terminate your lease, you have to move out within 30 days.⁴

¹ MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-02(c)(1)
² MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-02(c)(2)(iii)
³ MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-02(c)(2)(iv)
⁴ MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-02(b)

You can get your landlord to change your locks under this law if you or your legal occupant have a protective order or a peace order that requires the abuser:

• to move out of your shared residence; or
• to not enter your residence.¹

You must give your landlord written notice requesting that s/he change your locks. Your written notice must include a copy of your protective order or peace order.²

¹ MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-05(a)
² MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-05(b)

Your landlord can charge a reasonable fee for changing your locks.¹ You must pay the fee within 45 days of the date that the landlord changed your locks. If you do not pay the fee, your landlord can charge the fee as additional rent or withhold the fee from your security deposit.²

¹ MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-05(d)(2)
² MD Code, Real Prop. § 8-5A-05(e)