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Bill

SB 462

Landlord and Tenant - Residential Leases and Holdover Tenancies - Local Good Cause Termination (Good Cause Eviction)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Anthony Muse

SB 462 allows Maryland local governments to require landlords to demonstrate legal justification before evicting residential tenants, restricting no-fault evictions.

Hearing 2/12 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 462

Legislative bill overview

SB 462 establishes "good cause" requirements for residential evictions in Maryland, restricting landlords' ability to terminate leases without specified justifiable reasons. The bill allows local jurisdictions to implement their own good cause eviction standards, creating a patchwork of tenant protections across the state rather than a uniform statewide policy.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects the eviction process—one of the most consequential legal actions between property owners and residents. It would reshape housing stability for renters while imposing operational constraints on landlords, potentially influencing rental availability, pricing, and investment in residential properties across Maryland.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: What constitutes "good cause" may vary significantly by locality, creating confusion and inconsistency across jurisdictions and potentially making compliance difficult for multi-jurisdiction landlords
  • Landlord property rights: Property owners argue they should retain discretion to terminate leases at will, particularly regarding non-renewal, and that restrictions increase their financial risk and reduce investment incentives
  • Housing supply impact: Critics contend that good cause requirements reduce landlord willingness to rent, potentially decreasing affordable housing availability and increasing rents in competitive markets
  • Local implementation burden: Municipalities must develop and enforce their own standards, raising questions about administrative capacity and whether smaller jurisdictions can manage complex eviction regulations fairly

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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