Cal. Civ. Code § 8-302
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) Distress for rent is an action at law and shall be brought as provided in this section. (b) Original jurisdiction in a case of distress for rent is vested exclusively in the District Court regardless of the amount of rent for which distress is brought, notwithstanding any limitation imposed by law on the civil monetary jurisdiction of such court. (c) An action of distress may be brought only for unpaid rent under a written lease for a term of more than three months, or under a tenancy at will or a periodic tenancy that has continued more than three months. (d) An action of distress shall be brought in the county where the leased premises lie. (e) A party to an action of distress brought in the District Court under this section may demand a trial by jury in accordance with Subtitle 6 of this article.
Section 8-302 of Maryland's Real Property Code governs the legal action known as 'distress for rent,' which is a formal court proceeding a landlord may use to pursue unpaid rent. Under this provision, the District Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over such cases regardless of the dollar amount at issue, and the action can only be brought for rent owed under a written lease lasting more than three months or under a qualifying tenancy that has continued beyond three months. The case must be filed in the county where the rental property is located, and either party has the right to request a jury trial.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-302, property owners seeking to pursue a distress-for-rent action must file in the District Court of the county where the leased premises are situated, regardless of the total rent amount sought. Compliant operators ensure that the underlying lease is a written agreement for a term exceeding three months, or that the tenancy has otherwise continued beyond three months, before initiating this type of action. Operators familiar with this provision also recognize that tenants retain the right to demand a jury trial, which can affect how the proceeding unfolds.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-302 establishes important procedural boundaries on when and where a landlord may bring a distress-for-rent action against a tenant — notably, the lease must be written and the tenancy must have lasted more than three months. Tenants facing such an action have the right under this provision to demand a jury trial in accordance with Subtitle 6 of the Maryland Real Property Article. Tenants who believe a distress action has been improperly filed — for example, under a lease that does not meet the statutory requirements — may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand available 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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