Everything you need to know about your legal protections as a mobile home park resident in Maryland — rent increases, evictions, park closures, and more.
If you live in a mobile home park in Maryland, you have strong legal protections — but many residents don't know about them. This guide covers everything you need to know about your rights as a mobile home park tenant in Maryland, including notice requirements, rent increases, eviction protections, and what to do if your park closes.
Important: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you have a specific legal issue, contact Maryland Legal Aid at (800) 639-6137 for free assistance.
Maryland's mobile home park tenant rights are governed primarily by Title 8A of the Real Property Article of the Maryland Code, also known as the Maryland Mobile Home Park Landlord-Tenant Law. This law applies to all mobile home parks in the state and provides significant protections for residents.
Before a park owner can raise your lot rent, they must give you written notice at least 90 days in advance. This is one of the strongest rent increase notice requirements in the country. If a park owner tries to raise your rent with less than 90 days notice, that increase is not legally enforceable.
A valid rent increase notice must be in writing and must state the amount of the new rent and the date it takes effect. Verbal notice does not count. Keep all written notices from your park owner in a safe place.
Maryland law does not cap how much a park can raise lot rent — only how much notice they must give. However, some counties have additional local protections, so check with your county government as well.
If a park owner wants to close the park or convert it to another use, they must give all residents at least 6 months written notice. This gives you time to find a new location for your home or make other housing arrangements.
If a park owner decides to sell the property, Maryland law gives residents — either individually or organized as a group — the right of first refusal. This means the owner must offer residents the opportunity to purchase the park before selling it to an outside buyer. Residents can organize as a cooperative or nonprofit to exercise this right.
In some circumstances, residents displaced by park closure may be entitled to relocation assistance. Contact Maryland Legal Aid or the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for current information on relocation programs.
Maryland law requires that mobile home park tenancies be documented in writing. You should have a written lease or rental agreement. If you don't, ask your park owner for one — you have the right to receive a written copy of all park rules and regulations.
When your lease expires, you generally have the right to renew it. A park owner cannot refuse to renew a lease without cause. Valid grounds for non-renewal include non-payment of rent, violation of park rules, or illegal activity.
All park rules must be provided to you in writing. A park owner cannot enforce a rule that was not disclosed to you in writing before you moved in or with adequate advance notice of any changes.
A park owner cannot evict you without cause. Legal grounds for eviction in Maryland mobile home parks include non-payment of rent, violation of park rules after written notice and opportunity to cure, illegal activity on the premises, or expiration of a lease that the park owner has the right not to renew.
Evictions must go through the court system. A park owner cannot lock you out, remove your home, or shut off utilities to force you to leave. If a park owner attempts a "self-help eviction," contact the police and Maryland Legal Aid immediately.
Before filing for eviction, a park owner must typically provide written notice giving you the opportunity to correct the problem (for rule violations) or pay overdue rent. The specific notice periods depend on the grounds for eviction.
If your park provides utilities, the park owner cannot shut off water, sewer, or electricity as a means of forcing you out or as a penalty for non-payment of rent. Utility shutoffs must follow specific legal procedures. If a park owner illegally shuts off your utilities, you may be entitled to damages.
Maryland law explicitly protects your right to organize with other park residents, join a tenants' association, and advocate for your rights. A park owner cannot retaliate against you — through rent increases, eviction threats, or other means — for organizing or participating in a tenants' association.
If you believe your rights are being violated, you have several options:
Document everything. Keep copies of your lease, all written communications from your park owner, rent receipts, and any notices you receive. Written documentation is essential if you ever need to assert your rights in court.
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