Cal. Civ. Code § 8-303
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) An action of distress shall be brought by the landlord as plaintiff, the landlord’s petition shall name the tenant as defendant and contain the following information: (1) The name and address of the landlord; (2) The name and address of the tenant; and (3) The facts relating to (i) any assignment of a lease, if known, (ii) the premises leased, (iii) the date of the lease, (iv) the term of the lease, (v) the rent required to be paid by the lease, and (vi) the amount of the rent in arrears. (b) The petition shall be under oath or affirmation of the plaintiff, or the plaintiff’s agent, that the facts recited are true and correct. (c) If a defendant is not a resident of, or amenable to service in a county where the leased premises are located, service may be made by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service. If this service is returned by the Post Office Department or refused by the addressee or the addressee’s agent, then process shall be sent by first-class mail and the defendant returned as summoned.
Maryland Real Property § 8-303 governs the formal requirements for a distress action, which is a legal proceeding a landlord may initiate to recover unpaid rent. The landlord's petition must be filed under oath and include specific details about both parties, the lease terms, and the amount of rent owed. The provision also establishes how a tenant who lives outside the county where the rental property is located may be legally served with notice of the action, including through certified mail or, if that fails, first-class mail.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-303, a landlord who pursues a distress action is generally expected to file a sworn petition that accurately identifies both parties by name and address, describes the lease arrangement in detail, and states the precise amount of rent in arrears. Operators typically ensure that all six required factual elements—including any lease assignment, the premises, lease date, term, rent amount, and arrears—are included before filing. When a tenant is located outside the county where the property sits, compliant practice involves attempting certified mail service first, with first-class mail as a fallback if certified mail is returned or refused.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Maryland Real Property § 8-303 sets out the procedural requirements a landlord must meet when bringing a distress action against a tenant for unpaid rent, and a petition that is missing required information or is not properly sworn may be subject to challenge. Tenants who live in a different county from the leased property have specific service-of-process protections under this provision, meaning they are entitled to receive proper notice before the action proceeds. Tenants who believe a distress petition was improperly filed or served may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand what options are generally available in such circumstances.
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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