Cal. Civ. Code § 8A-502
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8A — Mobile Homes
Operative Text
In any action to recover any gratuity, the court shall award: (1) A double amount of the gratuity; and (2) The court costs.
Under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8A-502, when a court finds that a landlord has collected an unlawful gratuity from a tenant, the law directs the court to award the tenant twice the amount of that gratuity, plus court costs. This provision creates an automatic doubling remedy — the court has no discretion to award less once a gratuity is established. The rule is part of Maryland's broader framework governing landlord-tenant relationships under §§ 8A-101 to 8A-1903.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. §§ 8A-101 to 8A-1903 generally avoid collecting any payment that could be characterized as a gratuity, since § 8A-502 mandates a double-damages award against the collecting party if a court finds such a payment unlawful. Compliant operators typically review all fees and charges they assess to ensure each has a clear, permissible basis under Maryland law. Keeping thorough records of the purpose and authorization for every charge collected from tenants is a common practice among operators seeking to stay within the bounds of this statute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8A-502, tenants who have paid an unlawful gratuity to a landlord have a statutory right to recover double the amount paid, along with court costs, through a court action. This provision is part of the broader Maryland landlord-tenant code found at §§ 8A-101 to 8A-1903, which establishes various tenant protections. Tenants who believe they have paid an unlawful gratuity may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the options available for pursuing a claim under this section.
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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