Cal. Civ. Code § 8-115
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) If a share of growing crops is reserved as rent, the rent reserved is a lien on the crops. (b) In Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, and Worcester counties, if a share of growing crops is reserved as rent, or advances by the landlord are made on the faith of the crops to be grown, the reserved rent and advances made are a lien on the crops. However, the contract making the advances shall be written and executed by the landlord and tenant. (c) Any lien provided for by this section is not divested by sale by the tenant, the personal representative of a deceased tenant, by the assignment of the tenant in bankruptcy or insolvency, or by process of law.
Maryland Real Property § 8-115 addresses situations where a landlord accepts a share of growing crops as rent. Under this provision, that reserved crop-share rent automatically becomes a lien on the crops themselves, meaning the landlord has a legal claim against the crops that takes priority over certain transfers. In five specific counties—Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, St. Mary's, and Worcester—this lien protection also extends to advances a landlord makes based on anticipated crop yields, provided the advance agreement is in writing and signed by both parties. Critically, this lien survives a sale by the tenant, the death of the tenant, or bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings, so it cannot be extinguished simply by a change in who holds the crops.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords who accept crop shares as rent under Md. Real Prop. § 8-115 generally document the arrangement clearly, since the statute automatically creates a lien on those crops in their favor. Operators in Calvert, Charles, Prince George's, St. Mary's, or Worcester counties who also advance funds against anticipated crops are well-served by ensuring that any such advance agreement is reduced to writing and signed by both the landlord and tenant, as the statute requires that formality for the lien to attach to advances. Because § 8-115 specifies that this lien is not defeated by a tenant's sale of the crops, bankruptcy, or death, maintaining clear written records of the crop-share arrangement supports the landlord's ability to assert that lien if the crops change hands.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants farming under a crop-share rental arrangement should be aware that Md. Real Prop. § 8-115 gives the landlord a statutory lien on the crops that serves as rent, which means the landlord retains a legal claim on those crops even if the tenant sells them or faces financial hardship. In the five named counties, any landlord advances tied to the crop are also subject to this lien, but only if the advance agreement was put in writing and executed by both parties—tenants may wish to review whether that written requirement was met. Tenants who believe a lien is being improperly asserted, or who have questions about how § 8-115 applies to their arrangement, can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about their options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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