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SB 635

Residential Real Property - Notice of Landlord Entry - Tenant Consent

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Waldstreicher

Maryland bill requiring landlords to obtain tenant consent before entering rental properties, shifting entry rights from notice-based to permission-based access.

Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 635

Legislative bill overview

SB 635 would modify Maryland's landlord entry laws by requiring landlords to obtain explicit tenant consent before entering rental properties, rather than operating under the current notice-based system. The bill appears to shift the balance of property access rights in favor of tenant privacy protections during residential tenancies.

Why is this important

Landlord entry disputes are a common source of tenant-landlord conflict, affecting housing stability and privacy rights. How states regulate these entries impacts both property owners' ability to maintain and inspect their investments and tenants' reasonable expectation of privacy in their homes.

Potential points of contention

  • Property rights vs. privacy: Landlords argue they need access for maintenance, repairs, and inspections; tenants argue surprise or unreasonable entries violate their right to "quiet enjoyment" of the property
  • Emergency situations: Unclear how consent requirements would apply to legitimate emergencies (fire, gas leak, health/safety threats) where waiting for consent could cause harm
  • Enforcement and disputes: Creating a consent requirement may increase litigation over whether proper consent was obtained and what constitutes valid tenant agreement, potentially benefiting attorneys more than either party

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

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