Apartment Checklist

It is in your best interest to request a walk through your new apartment/property rental with your landlord within 15 days of your move-in date to document any pre-existing damages. This is also your right under Maryland Housing Law. Always keep a copy of this checklist with your lease and give a copy to your landlord for their records. You should use this form or a similar form to conduct your walk through with your landlord.

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Rent Escrow: When the Landlord Fails to Make Repairs

Under Maryland law, if a landlord fails to repair serious or dangerous defects in a rental unit, you have the right to pay your rent into an escrow account established at the local District Court. But the law is very specific about the conditions under which rent may be placed in escrow. You must give the landlord proper notice and adequate time to make the repairs before you have the right to place rent in escrow. The escrow account can only be set up by the Court.

Besides Rent Escrow, What Else Can a Tenant do if a Landlord Does Not Make Repairs?

A tenant can report the landlord to local authorities. Under a law that the Maryland General Assembly passed in 1986, every county must adopt a housing code that meets minimum statewide standards. Some counties and Baltimore City have comprehensive housing and building codes that are enforced by local authorities. The local authorities will investigate your complaint and, if the landlord is cited for violations, repairs have to be made.

Now that you have found an apartment/property rental that interests you, a thorough inspection of the property is recommended. This should be done with the landlord/property manager present. A written copy of this form and any other documentation describing the condition of the property should be mailed to the landlord/property manager within 15 days of taking occupancy of the apartment/rental property. Please make sure to keep a copy for your records and take photographs, if necessary, of the damage. 

Questions?

Companies and owners are responsible for reporting their information fairly and accurately. The Johns Hopkins University does not endorse any of the companies and owners listed above or any other company, products or services by virtue of making this service accessible to the JHU community.