Cal. Civ. Code § 8-221

Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant

In Force
Verified 10/26/2026 · Next check 11/2/2026
effective 10/12/2026MarylandNotice to Enter

Operative Text

Cal. Civ. Code § 8-221
(a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, a landlord may enter a leased premises for the purpose of:

(1) Completing repairs, maintenance, modifications, renovations, or improvements to the leased premises;

(2) Inspecting the leased premises;

(3) Showing the leased premises to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, or contractors;

(4) Ensuring the protection and safety of the property and occupants;

(5) Completing work ordered by a governmental entity; or

(6) If appropriate, responding to any other written request of the tenant.

(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, before entering a leased premises, a landlord shall:

(i) Provide written notice to the tenant of the landlord’s intent to enter in accordance with subsection (c) of this section; and

(ii) Enter only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or another time agreed on, in writing, by the tenant.

(2) A landlord may enter the leased premises without providing notice under this subsection in the event of an emergency to ensure the imminent protection or preservation of the property, the imminent protection and safety of any occupants, or the health, safety, and welfare of other tenants and staff.

(c) (1) A landlord shall provide written notice to the tenant at least 24 hours in advance of the time that the landlord intends to enter the leased premises.

(2) The notice shall include:

(i) The date and approximate time that the landlord intends to enter; and

(ii) The specific purpose of entry.

(3) The notice shall be delivered by:

(i) If the notice is delivered at least 24 hours before the specified time, first–class mail, with a certificate of mailing;

(ii) Paper notice affixed to the door of the leased premises; or

(iii) If elected by the tenant, electronic delivery in at least one of the following forms:

1. An e–mail message;

2. A text message; or

3. Through an electronic tenant portal that is accessible to the tenant at the time the notice is delivered and the specified entry time.

(4) Electronic delivery shall provide the landlord with proof of transmission of the notice.

(5) A tenant may agree in writing to allow a landlord to enter the leased premises less than 24 hours from receipt of notice.

(d) (1) To seek relief under this section, a tenant shall demonstrate that:

(i) A landlord has entered the leased premises in violation of this section; or

(ii) A landlord has made repeated demands for entry that are not in compliance with the requirements of this section.

(2) In response to an action brought under this section, the court may issue an injunction to the landlord, assess appropriate damages against the landlord for breach of the tenant’s covenant to quiet enjoyment of the leased premises, or both.

(e) A landlord is liable for any violation of this section committed by the landlord or an agent acting at the direction of the landlord.

(f) If a tenant alleges a housing code violation, the tenant shall provide the landlord access to the leased premises within 24 hours after notifying the landlord of the alleged violation.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Maryland Real Property § 8-221 establishes the conditions under which a landlord may enter a rented home or apartment. Generally, the landlord must give the tenant at least 24 hours' written notice stating the date, approximate time, and specific reason for entry, and must enter only between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday unless the tenant agrees in writing to a different time. Emergency situations—such as an imminent threat to property or occupant safety—allow entry without advance notice. If a landlord violates these rules, a court may issue an injunction, award damages for breach of the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment, or both.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 14, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Under § 8-221, compliant operators document every non-emergency entry with written notice delivered at least 24 hours in advance, specifying the date, approximate time, and purpose of the visit. Acceptable delivery methods include first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, a paper notice affixed to the unit door, or an electronic method (email, text, or tenant portal) that the tenant has elected and that generates proof of transmission. Landlords should also be aware that they bear liability for entry violations committed by agents acting at their direction, making clear communication with maintenance staff and contractors an important operational practice under § 8-221.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Section 8-221 gives tenants the right to advance written notice before a landlord enters, along with restrictions on entry hours, and provides legal remedies when those rights are violated. If a landlord enters without proper notice or repeatedly demands entry in a non-compliant manner, a tenant may seek court relief—including an injunction or damages for breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment—under § 8-221(d). Tenants who want to understand their options can consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office, and should note that § 8-221(f) also requires tenants who report a housing code violation to provide the landlord access within 24 hours of that notification.

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.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 12, 2026
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Related Rules

§ 244.285
Tenant to be notified of entry
§ 47a-16
When landlord may enter rented unit.
§ 47a-16a
Notification by tenant of extended absence. When landlord may enter.

Source Information

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