{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-real-property-7-105.13","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Real Property § 7–105.13","heading":"","body":"(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(2) “Certificate of property unfit for human habitation” means:\n(i) In Baltimore City, a certificate of substantial repair; or\n(ii) A certificate for residential property issued by a unit of a county or municipal corporation indicating that the county or municipal corporation has determined that the residential property is unfit for human habitation.\n(3) “Certificate of vacancy” means a certificate for a residential property issued by a unit of a county or municipal corporation indicating that the residential property is vacant.\n(b) This section applies only to a county or municipal corporation that issues a certificate of vacancy or a certificate of property unfit for human habitation.\n(c) If a mortgage or deed of trust on residential property is in default, a person with a secured interest in the residential property may request that a county or municipal corporation issue a certificate of vacancy or a certificate of property unfit for human habitation.\n(d) (1) The county or municipal corporation shall issue to a secured party a certificate of vacancy for a residential property if the county or municipal corporation determines that the residential property is vacant.\n(2) The county or municipal corporation shall issue to a secured party a certificate of property unfit for human habitation for a residential property if the county or municipal corporation determines in accordance with requirements of local, county, or State housing codes, that the residential property is unfit for human habitation.\n(3) A certificate of vacancy or certificate of property unfit for human habitation issued under this subsection is valid for 60 days after the date the certificate is issued.\n(4) A county or municipal corporation may charge a fee not exceeding $100 to a secured party to issue a certificate of vacancy or a certificate of property unfit for human habitation.\n(e) Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, if a certificate of vacancy or certificate of property unfit for human habitation is valid at the time of filing an order to docket or complaint to foreclose, § 7–105.1 of this subtitle does not apply to an action to foreclose a mortgage or deed of trust on the property for which the certificate was issued.\n(f) (1) The record owner or occupant of a property may challenge the certificate of vacancy or certificate of property unfit for human habitation under this section by notifying the circuit court of the challenge.\n(2) A secured party filing an order to docket or complaint to foreclose based on a certificate of vacancy or a certificate of property unfit for human habitation under this section shall serve the foreclosure documents in accordance with § 7–105.1(h)(1) of this subtitle along with a description of the procedure to challenge the certificate and the form to be used to make the challenge.\n(3) If a challenge under paragraph (1) of this subsection is upheld, the secured party shall comply with the requirements of § 7–105.1 of this subtitle.\n(g) A county or municipal corporation may establish procedures governing the issuance of a certificate of vacancy or certificate of property unfit for human habitation under this section.","path":["Article - Real Property"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp\u0026section=7-105.13","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T20:00:38Z","sha256":"da22d37e827169ff48feb3591515bce8299fc2669f102fa53d922b64de4cd4a9","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-real-property-7-105.12","next":"us-md/md.-code-real-property-7-105.14"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}