Cal. Civ. Code § 8-325
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) If the amount received from a sale of goods under distress, after payment of all costs and expenses, is not sufficient to pay the plaintiff’s claim, the plaintiff may file a verified petition with the court for a deficiency money judgment. Notice of the petition shall be served on the tenant, giving at least 14 days’ notice of hearing on the petition. After the hearing, the court may order a money judgment entered for the deficiency against the defendant regardless of whether the amount exceeds the monetary limit of the civil jurisdiction of the court. (b) A deficiency money judgment under a lease may be entered only against the person named in the lease as tenant, and who signed the lease as such, or against an assignee who has assumed a covenant in writing to pay rent. (c) The general exemption laws of the State are applicable to the enforcement of any deficiency money judgment given in an action of distress.
Under Maryland Real Property § 8-325, when a landlord seizes and sells a tenant's goods through a distress action but the sale proceeds fall short of the rent owed, the landlord may seek a court-ordered deficiency money judgment for the remaining balance. The tenant must receive at least 14 days' notice before any hearing on such a petition. Importantly, this type of judgment can only be entered against the person who actually signed the lease as tenant, or an assignee who formally assumed rent obligations in writing, and Maryland's general exemption laws apply when the judgment is enforced.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-325, a landlord who pursues a distress action and finds the sale proceeds insufficient to cover the full claim may file a verified petition with the court to recover the remaining balance as a deficiency money judgment. Operators who follow this process generally ensure that proper notice—at least 14 days before the hearing—is served on the tenant. Compliant landlords also confirm that any deficiency judgment is sought only against the individual who signed the lease as tenant, or a qualifying assignee who assumed rent obligations in writing, since the statute limits who can be named as a defendant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-325 provides tenants with procedural protections if a landlord seeks a deficiency money judgment after a distress sale: tenants are entitled to at least 14 days' notice before any court hearing on the petition. The statute also limits who can be held liable—only the person named and who signed the lease as tenant, or a written-assumption assignee, can be subject to such a judgment. Tenants who receive a deficiency petition may wish to review Maryland's general exemption laws, which apply to enforcement of these judgments, and can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about their options under this provision.
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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