Cal. Civ. Code § 8-326
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
In a lease naming either husband or wife as tenant, all goods on the leased premises belonging to either, or both, are subject to levy under distress to the same extent as if both were named in the lease as tenants.
Under Maryland Real Property § 8-326, when a lease names only one spouse as the tenant, the personal property of either or both spouses that is located on the leased premises can be seized under a distress levy just as it could if both spouses had been listed as tenants on the lease. In other words, the marital relationship effectively extends the reach of a landlord's distress remedy to goods owned by the unnamed spouse. This rule treats the couple's property as jointly exposed to the distress process regardless of which spouse signed the lease.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Maryland Real Property § 8-326 clarifies that a landlord exercising a distress remedy is not limited to the goods of the spouse actually named in the lease — property belonging to either or both spouses on the premises is subject to levy. Compliant operators who pursue distress proceedings generally ensure they understand the full scope of what property may be reached and follow all procedural requirements for distress under Maryland law. Because distress is a significant legal remedy, operators typically work with legal counsel familiar with Maryland landlord-tenant law before initiating any levy.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 8-326 of the Maryland Real Property Code, if only one spouse is named on a lease, the personal property of both spouses on the premises may still be subject to a landlord's distress action. Tenants in this situation may want to understand what goods are on the premises and how Maryland's distress procedures work, including any exemptions that may apply to certain types of property. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services in Maryland can help explain the distress process and what options may be available when a levy is threatened or initiated.
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
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.