Cal. Civ. Code § 8-5A-05
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) A person who is a victim of abuse and who is a tenant under a residential lease may provide to the landlord a written request to change the locks of the leased premises if the protective order or peace order issued for the benefit of the tenant or legal occupant requires the respondent to refrain from entering or to vacate the residence of the tenant or legal occupant. (b) The written request provided under subsection (a) of this section shall include: (1) A copy of a protective order issued for the benefit of the tenant or legal occupant under § 4–506 of the Family Law Article; or (2) A copy of a peace order issued for the benefit of the tenant or legal occupant under § 3–1505 of the Courts Article for which the underlying act was an act of abuse. (c) (1) The landlord shall change the locks on the leased premises by the close of the next business day after receiving a written request under subsection (a) of this section. (2) If the landlord fails to change the locks as required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the tenant: (i) May have the locks changed by a certified locksmith on the leased premises without permission from the landlord; and (ii) Shall give a duplicate key to the landlord or the landlord’s agent by the close of the next business day after the lock change. (d) If a landlord changes the locks on a tenant’s leased premises under subsection (c) of this section, the landlord: (1) Shall provide a copy of the new key to the tenant who made the request for the change of locks at a mutually agreed time not to exceed 48 hours following the lock change; and (2) May charge a fee to the tenant not exceeding the reasonable cost of changing the locks. (e) (1) If a landlord charges a fee to the tenant for changing the locks on a tenant’s leased premises under subsection (d) of this section, the tenant shall pay the fee within 45 days of the date the locks are changed. (2) If a tenant does not pay a fee as required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the landlord may: (i) Charge the fee as additional rent; or (ii) Withhold the amount of the fee from the tenant’s security deposit.
Under Maryland Real Property § 8-5A-05, a residential tenant who is a victim of abuse and holds a qualifying protective or peace order can request in writing that their landlord change the locks on their rental unit. The landlord is required to complete the lock change by the close of the next business day after receiving that written request. If the landlord does not act in time, the tenant may hire a certified locksmith independently, though a duplicate key must then be provided to the landlord by the close of the following business day. The landlord may charge the tenant a reasonable fee for the lock change, which the tenant has 45 days to pay.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8-5A-05 of the Maryland Real Property Code, compliant operators treat a written lock-change request accompanied by a qualifying protective or peace order as a time-sensitive obligation, completing the lock change by the close of the next business day. Landlords generally document the request, the date of receipt, and the date the new key was delivered to the tenant—within 48 hours of the lock change at a mutually agreed time. Any fee charged for the lock change is limited to the reasonable cost of the work, and operators typically track the 45-day payment window, understanding that an unpaid fee may be treated as additional rent or deducted from the security deposit.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8-5A-05 of the Maryland Real Property Code gives residential tenants who are abuse victims and hold a qualifying protective or peace order the right to submit a written request—along with a copy of that order—to have their locks changed promptly. If the landlord does not act by the close of the next business day, the provision allows the tenant to hire a certified locksmith directly, provided a duplicate key is given to the landlord by the close of the following business day. Tenants who believe their rights under this section have not been honored may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the options available to them.
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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