{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-real-property-8-5a-04","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Real Property § 8–5A–04","heading":"","body":"(a) This section applies to an action for possession of property under § 8–402.1 of this title against a tenant or legal occupant who is a victim of abuse.\n(b) (1) A tenant is deemed to have raised a rebuttable presumption that the alleged breach of the lease does not warrant an eviction if the tenant provides to the court:\n(i) A copy of a protective order issued for the benefit of the tenant or legal occupant under § 4–506 of the Family Law Article;\n(ii) 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; or\n(iii) A report by a qualified third party, provided that:\n1. The name and physical description of the alleged perpetrator are redacted; and\n2. The alleged breach of the lease occurred within 60 days of the date the report was signed by the qualified third party.\n(2) If an act of abuse is raised as a defense in an action for possession of property under § 8–402.1 of this title, the court, in its discretion, may enter a judgment in favor of a tenant who does not provide the evidence described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.","path":["Article - Real Property"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp\u0026section=8-5A-04","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T20:00:38Z","sha256":"c0d28cccf4d42567d523bb7de5560b0d6fc0a7fecd7a385551dfad2f47970cbd","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-real-property-8-5a-03","next":"us-md/md.-code-real-property-8-5a-05"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}