Cal. Civ. Code § 8-220
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) “Mold” has the meaning stated in § 6–1702 of the Environment Article. (3) “Mold assessment” means: (i) An inspection, an investigation, or a survey of a dwelling or other structure to provide information to the owner regarding the presence, identification, or evaluation of mold; (ii) The development of a mold management plan; or (iii) The collection or analysis of a mold sample. (4) “Mold remediation” has the meaning stated in § 6–1702 of the Environment Article. (b) A landlord shall: (1) Provide the pamphlet developed or used under § 6–1702 of the Environment Article to each tenant in a rental unit on the landlord’s property: (i) At the time the lease or rental agreement is signed; and (ii) On request by a tenant of the rental unit; and (2) Request that a tenant sign a statement acknowledging receipt of the pamphlet. (c) (1) A landlord shall perform a mold assessment within 15 days after receipt of a written notice regarding the detection of mold from: (i) The applicable local agency enforcing housing and livability codes; or (ii) A tenant or building occupant. (2) If the assessment in paragraph (1) of this subsection detects mold, a landlord shall: (i) Perform mold remediation within 45 days after the assessment is completed; or (ii) If performing mold remediation within the time frame specified in item (i) of this paragraph is not feasible, within a reasonable time after the assessment is completed. (3) A landlord shall ensure that the mold assessment and mold remediation under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection follows the recommended industry guidelines and best practices and State and local laws and regulations. (d) A landlord shall: (1) Communicate with occupants during a mold assessment and mold remediation under subsection (c) of this section to provide updates and relevant information; (2) Ensure proper ventilation in the property; (3) Ensure low indoor relative humidity in the property; and (4) Maintain the property in accordance with all applicable federal, State, and local residential housing and building codes, standards, regulations, rules, and requirements pertaining to minimum livability under § 12–203 of the Public Safety Article. (e) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, nothing in this section may be construed to require a local government or local health department to conduct a mold assessment or mold remediation. (2) If a local government owns or manages a residential property, the local government or local housing authority shall comply with this section with respect to the residential property.
Maryland Real Property § 8-220 establishes a framework governing how landlords must handle mold in residential rental properties. Under this provision, landlords are required to distribute a state-approved mold information pamphlet to tenants at lease signing and upon request, conduct a mold assessment within 15 days of receiving written notice of mold, and complete remediation within 45 days of a confirmed assessment (or within a reasonable time if that deadline is not feasible). The rule also sets ongoing property-management standards, including maintaining proper ventilation, controlling indoor humidity, and following applicable housing codes, while clarifying that local governments are generally not compelled to perform assessments unless they own or manage the residential property themselves.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of Maryland rental properties subject to § 8-220 generally maintain compliance by distributing the state-approved mold pamphlet at lease execution and keeping signed acknowledgment statements on file. When written mold complaints arrive—whether from a tenant, building occupant, or local code-enforcement agency—compliant operators initiate a formal mold assessment within the 15-day window and, if mold is confirmed, schedule remediation that follows recognized industry guidelines and state and local regulations, targeting completion within 45 days or documenting why a longer timeline is necessary. Ongoing obligations under § 8-220 include keeping ventilation systems functional, monitoring and controlling indoor relative humidity, and meeting all applicable federal, state, and local minimum habitability standards referenced in Public Safety Article § 12-203.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Maryland Real Property § 8-220 gives tenants the right to receive a state-approved mold information pamphlet from their landlord at the time a lease is signed and again upon request at any point during the tenancy. If a tenant provides written notice of detected mold, the provision requires the landlord to respond with a formal assessment within 15 days and, if mold is found, to carry out remediation within 45 days or within a reasonable period when that timeline is not feasible. Tenants who believe a landlord has not met these obligations under § 8-220 may consider contacting the applicable local housing or code-enforcement agency, documenting all written communications, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization to understand the range of options available to them.
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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