Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Maryland

Renting rooms in my house--Theiving Drug Addicted Tenant

I rent out two rooms in my three bedroom condominium. One tenant who I rented to begining in August has been stealing and doing drugs. I don't want him here, and my other tenant is about ready to move out if I don't get him out ASAP. Last week, I gave him till Sunday to get out (I gave him a letter), and in the letter said that I would take all legal measures possible. Then he said he'd be out by this weekend, so I gave him until now to do that. Now he says he'll be out when he's ''good and ready''.

How can I legally evict him fast?

Also, what civil and criminal penalties could I be subject to in Maryland if I do one or more of the following things:

-Change the locks and move his stuff out to the curb.

-Remove the doors to his room.

-Start showing the place to ''prospective tenants'' at odd hours.

-Decide that I'll be repainting his room at 3AM.

-Deadbolt shut the door to his bathroom.

I know that courts frown on these, I'm wondering how much they frown on them.


Asked on 10/23/04, 3:08 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Alan Albin Alan S. Albin, Attorney at Law

Re: Renting rooms in my house--Theiving Drug Addicted Tenant

In general, self-help evictions are legally prohibited. The correct procedure is to retain an attorney and the attorney will represent you in an eviction proceeding, filed with the court. If you have reasonable cause to believe that criminal activity is taking place on your premises, then you should go to the police and file a criminal complaint.

If you use "self help" eviction, e.g., changing the locks while the tenant happens to be out, you may be held legally liable.

Consult an attorney and do things legally.

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Answered on 10/25/04, 6:37 am
Alton Drew Alton Drew, LLC

Re: Renting rooms in my house--Theiving Drug Addicted Tenant

If you have a written lease agreement with this tenant, you may also want to review the section on termination. You may have some terms in the lease that he has violated thus given you the right to have hime evicted. Any eviction action on your part must go through the court.

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Answered on 10/25/04, 10:32 am


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