Anne Arundel County Council Bill 101-25 Changes Residential Tenant Eviction Process

 Posted on August 30, 2026 in Real Estate

Anne Arundel County Council Bill 101-25 took effect on July 1, 2026. This new law changes both the amount of notice a tenant is required to receive before an eviction takes place, and what happens to a tenant’s belongings after the eviction occurs.

For residential landlords and property management companies in Anne Arundel County, these changes require immediate updates to prior eviction procedures. Even small mistakes in the eviction process can expose landlords to expensive legal risks. 

At Silverman Thompson, our Maryland residential real estate attorneys work closely with residential landlords to review new legislation and ensure legal compliance with state and local laws. 

How Much Notice Do Anne Arundel County Landlords Now Need to Give a Tenant Before an Eviction?

Maryland Real Property § 8-407 requires a landlord to give a residential tenant written notice at least six (6) days before the scheduled repossession date. However, state law allows local jurisdictions to adjust the notice period. Under Anne Arundel County Council Bill 101-25, all housing providers in the county, with the exception of those located in the City of Annapolis, must now give tenants written notice of a scheduled eviction at least fourteen (14) days before the eviction date. 

For all evictions, Landlords must continue to: 

• Send the eviction notice by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing;

• Post the eviction notice on the front door of the property, along with a date-stamped photograph of the posted notice; and

• Send the eviction notice to the tenant’s email or cellphone number, if the landlord knows it.

State law has several additional requirements for the contents of the notice itself, including certain language warning tenants they will lose their belongings when the eviction occurs. In Anne Arundel County, the notice now must also include information about how tenants’ personal property will be handled after the eviction notice is posted.

What Can Landlords Do with a Tenant's Property After an Eviction in Anne Arundel County?

Anne Arundel County law no longer permits landlords to remove the tenant’s belongings and leave them on the curb when a tenant is evicted. Instead, landlords and property managers must change the locks to the rental property in the presence of an Anne Arundel County Sheriff's deputy, and all property left by the tenant in the rental property is deemed abandoned. The landlord pays for the cost of changing the locks.

Once the locks are changed, the landlord must leave the tenant’s property inside the unit for at least 24 hours before removing or disposing of it.

After the 24 hours are up, the tenant’s property may be:

• Taken to a licensed landfill or solid waste facility;

• Donated to charity;

• Sold; and/or

• Disposed of through some other legal means. 

The landlord or property manager can’t keep abandoned property for personal use.

Abandoned pets must be taken by the Anne Arundel County Department of Animal Services.

Do Anne Arundel County Landlords Have to Refile Eviction Cases Started Before July 1, 2026?

According to guidance provided by the Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office, landlords are expected to give tenants the new 14-day notice starting July 1, 2026. Housing providers do not need to refile cases initiated before July 1.

Reviewing Legal Compliance and Company-Wide Procedures After Bill 101-25

Bill 101-25 and other new residential real estate laws present a great opportunity for landlords and management companies to review their eviction procedures for legal compliance

Whether this means training all staff on changes to the law, working with locksmiths and cleaners to respect the 24-hour property holding period, or updating company calendars to make sure an eviction can’t be carried out before the 14-day notice is up, proactively managing company-wide compliance reduces legal risk. Procedural review done hand-in-hand with experienced residential real estate attorneys is essential. 

Call an Anne Arundel County Landlord-Tenant Attorney Today

The 2026 changes to the eviction process in Anne Arundel County are significant. Residential property management companies should make sure their procedures have changed as well so that they are in compliance with the current law. 

At Silverman Thompson, our real estate lawyers help residential landlords and property managers understand changes to the law. We help landlords develop and review eviction procedures, among other legal issues.

If you are a residential landlord or property management company and you have questions or need help relative to the eviction process, call Silverman Thompson at 410-385-2225 today.