Maryland2026Active
HB0059
Faster Eviction Rules for Properties Listed for Sale or Rent
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 4:24 AM
In one sentence
This law creates faster court timelines and specific notice rules when a landlord tries to remove someone from a property that is currently listed for sale or lease.
What it does
- Requires courts to hold eviction hearings within 5 days if the property is advertised for sale or rent, instead of the usual limit of 10 business days.
- Mandates that court rulings be issued within 2 business days after these expedited hearings are held.
- Limits appeals in these cases to a filing window of only 2 business days and requires appeal hearings to start within 3 business days.
- Requires courts to issue an eviction warrant to the sheriff within 24 hours if they rule in favor of the property owner.
- Allows serving legal notice by posting it on the property if the person living there cannot be found.
Who it affects
- Property owners who are trying to regain possession of real estate listed for sale or lease
- People currently in possession of properties that have been advertised for sale or rent
- District Courts and Circuit Courts handling these specific eviction cases
Limits and unknowns
- This law only applies if the property is advertised or listed for sale or lease at the time the complaint is filed.
- The bill does not apply if a court order already granted possession, or if another specific legal remedy exists under state law.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Wrongful detainer
- A legal action to recover possession of real property from someone holding it without the right to do so.
- Expedited proceedings
- Court processes that happen faster than normal, with shorter deadlines for hearings and rulings when a property is listed for sale or lease.
- Warrant
- A court order given to a sheriff commanding them to remove people from the property and return it to the owner.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Requiring certain expedited proceedings in a wrongful detainer action if the property that is the subject of the action is, at the time of the complaint, advertised or listed for sale or lease by the complainant and requiring that notice of a hearing or appeal be served in person or, under certain circumstances, posted conspicuously on the property; requiring the District Court or the circuit court to issue a warrant within 24 hours if the court rules in favor of the complainant in an expedited wrongful detainer action; etc.
Official activity
Bill history
- In the House - Hearing 2/26 at 1:00 p.m. (Economic Matters)