Maryland Residential Lease Agreement Month to Month

MARYLAND RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT
MONTH TO MONTH

This Residential Lease Agreement (hereinafter “Lease”) is entered into this the day of , 20, by and between the Lessor: , (hereinafter referred to as “Landlord”), and the Lessee(s): . All Lessees (hereinafter referred to collectively as “Tenant”), are jointly, severally and individually bound by, and liable under, the terms and conditions of this Lease.

For the valuable consideration described below, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Landlord and Tenant do hereby covenant, contract and agree as follows:

1. GRANT OF LEASE: Landlord does hereby lease unto Tenant, and Tenant does hereby rent from Landlord, solely for use as a personal residence, excluding all other uses, the personal residence located in County, Maryland, with address of:

including the following items of personal property:

2. NATURE OF OCCUPANCY: As a special consideration and inducement for the granting of this Lease by the Landlord to the Tenant, the personal residence described above shall be used and occupied only by the members of the Tenant’s family or others whose names and ages are set forth below:

3. TERM OF LEASE: This Lease shall commence on the day of , 20, and extend from month to month until:

a. Either Landlord or Tenant gives the other written thirty (30) day Notice of Termination of Lease Agreement. This Notice of Termination need not be of any “cause”, but rather is solely “at the will” of the party giving notice.

b. Either Landlord or Tenant gives the other a written Notice of Default, wherein the noticed party must either cure the breach (if cure is an option) or be terminated and vacate the premises on or before the end of the notice period, the length of which period will be dictated by the conditions of the Lease or applicable law.

4. SECURITY DEPOSIT: Upon execution of this Lease, Tenant shall deposit the sum of $ [to a legal maximum of two times the monthly rent] to be held by Landlord as a security deposit for reasonable cleaning of, and repair of damages to, the premises upon the expiration or termination of this Lease, or other reasonable damages resulting from a default by Tenant.

Tenant shall be liable to Landlord for all damages to the leased premises upon the termination of this Lease, ordinary wear and tear excepted. Tenant may not apply the security deposit to any rent due under this Lease. If Landlord sells or assigns the leased premises, Landlord shall have the right to transfer Tenant’s security deposit to the new owner or assignee to hold under this Lease, and upon so doing Landlord shall be released from all liability to Tenant for return of said security deposit.

In compliance with Maryland Code § 8-203:

Within 30 days of the Landlord’s receipt thereof, the security deposit accounts shall be maintained in branches of the financial institutions which are located within the State and the accounts shall be devoted exclusively to security deposits and bear interest at the rate of at least 3 percent per annum.

Within 45 days after the end of the tenancy, the landlord shall return the security deposit to the tenant together with simple interest which has accrued in the amount of 3 percent per annum, less any damages rightfully withheld. Interest is not compound, shall accrue at 6 month intervals, and shall be payable only on security deposits of $50 or more.

The security deposit, or any portion thereof, may be withheld for unpaid rent, damage due to breach of lease or for damage by the tenant or the tenant's family, agents, employees, guests or invitees in excess of ordinary wear and tear to the leased premises, common areas, major appliances, and furnishings owned by the landlord.

The tenant has the right to be present when the landlord or the landlord's agent inspects the premises in order to determine if any damage was done to the premises, if the tenant notifies the landlord by certified mail of the tenant's intention to move, the date of moving, and the tenant's new address.

The notice to be furnished by the tenant to the landlord shall be mailed at least 15 days prior to the date of moving. Upon receipt of the notice, the landlord shall notify the tenant by certified mail of the time and date when the premises are to be inspected. The date of inspection shall occur within five days before or five days after the date of moving as designated in the tenant's notice.

If any portion of the security deposit is withheld, the landlord shall present by first-class mail directed to the last known address of the tenant, within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, a written list of the damages claimed, together with a statement of the cost actually incurred.

5. RENT PAYMENTS: Tenant agrees to pay rent unto the Landlord during the term of this Lease in equal monthly installments of $, said installment for each month being due and payable on or before the 1st day of the month, the first full rent payment under this Lease being due on the 1st day of , 20.

Tenant agrees that if rent is not paid in full on or before the day of the month, Tenant will pay a late charge of $ as allowed by applicable Maryland law.

The prorated rent from the commencement of this Lease to the first day of the following month is $, which amount shall be paid at the execution of this Lease.

Tenant agrees that rent shall be paid in lawful money of the United States by (indicate those that apply):

cash personal check money order cashier’s check other

Rent payments shall be made payable to:

and mailed or delivered to the following address:

All notices from Tenant to Landlord under this Lease and applicable Maryland law shall be delivered to the above address.

Tenant agrees that rent monies will not be considered paid until Landlord or Landlord’s agent receives the rent monies, either by mail or by delivery to the above address. Tenant placing rent monies in the mail is not sufficient for rent to be considered paid, and rent will be considered unpaid until actual receipt thereof.

If there are multiple Tenants signed to this Lease, all such Tenants are jointly, severally and individually bound by, and liable under, the terms and conditions of this Lease. A judgment entered against one Tenant shall be no bar to an action against other Tenants.

6. CONSEQUENCES OF BREACH BY TENANT: If Tenant, by any act or omission, or by the act or omission of any of Tenant’s family or invitees, licensees, and/or guests, violates any of the terms or conditions of this Lease or any other documents made a part hereof by reference or attachment, Tenant shall be considered in breach of this Lease (breach by one tenant shall be considered breach by all tenants where Tenant is more than one person), and Landlord may repossess the premises or take other action under the lease or applicable law.

Under Maryland Code § 8-401: Whenever the tenant or tenants fail to pay the rent when due and payable, it shall be lawful for the landlord to have again and repossess the premises. To do so, Landlord must file a complaint under Maryland Code § 8-401 in the District Court of the county wherein the property is situated.

Under Maryland Code § 8-402.1: When a lease provides that the landlord may repossess the premises if the tenant breaches the lease, and the landlord has given the tenant 1 month's written notice that the tenant is in violation of the lease and the landlord desires to repossess the premises, and if the tenant or person in actual possession refuses to comply, the landlord may make complaint in writing to the District Court of the county where the premises is located and proceed under the above-stated code section.

Tenant understands and specifically agrees, that notwithstanding any of the above provisions relating to the breach of the Lease, Landlord may, without any cause whatsoever, terminate the Lease by giving the Tenant a written thirty (30) day Notice of Termination, whereby, on or before the conclusion of the thirty (30) day period of notice, Tenant must vacate the premises and surrender same to Landlord.

7. DELIVERY OF NOTICES: Any giving of notice under this Lease or applicable Maryland law shall be made by Tenant in writing and delivered to the address noted above for the payment of rent, either by hand delivery or by mail. Certified or registered mail is recommended. Delivery by mail shall not be considered complete until actual receipt by Landlord or Landlord’s agent.

Any notices from Landlord to Tenant shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently served upon Tenant when deposited in the mail addressed to the leased premises, or addressed to Tenant’s last known post office address, or hand delivered, or placed in Tenant’s mailbox. If Tenant is more than one person, then notice to one shall be sufficient as notice to all.

8. UTILITIES: Tenant will provide and pay for the following utilities (indicate those that apply):

Electric Gas Telephone Cable Television Water Garbage pick-up

Landlord will provide and pay for the following utilities (indicate those that apply):

Electric Gas Telephone Cable Television Water Garbage pick-up

Tenant shall be responsible for contacting and arranging for any utility service not provided by the Landlord, and for any utilities not listed above. Tenant shall be responsible for having same utilities disconnected on the day Tenant delivers the leased premises back unto Landlord upon termination or expiration of this Lease.

9. NOTICE OF INTENT TO SURRENDER: Tenant must give a thirty (30) day written notice to the Landlord of Tenant’s intention to surrender the residence.

10. OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF LANDLORD: Landlord shall:

(a) Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety;

(b) Maintain the dwelling unit, its plumbing, heating and/or cooling system, in substantially the same condition as at the inception of the lease, reasonable wear and tear excluded, unless the dwelling unit, its plumbing, heating and/or cooling system is damaged or impaired as a result of the deliberate or negligent actions of the Tenant or those present with Tenant’s knowledge or permission.

11. OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF TENANT: Tenant shall:

(a) Keep that part of the premises that he occupies and uses as clean and as safe as the condition of the premises permits;

(b) Dispose from his dwelling unit all ashes, rubbish, garbage and other waste in a clean and safe manner in compliance with community standards;

(c) Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit used by the Tenant as clean as their condition permits;

(d) Use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, in the premises;

(e) Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the premises or knowingly permit any other person to do so;

(f) Conduct himself and require other persons on the premises with his consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb his neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of their premises;

(g) Inform the Landlord of any condition of which he has actual knowledge which may cause damage to the premises;

(h) To the extent of his legal obligation, maintain the dwelling unit in substantially the same condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety;

(i) Not engage in any illegal activity upon the leased premises as documented by a law enforcement agency; Tenant agrees that any violation of these provisions shall be considered a breach of this Lease.

12. NO ASSIGNMENT: Tenant expressly agrees that the leased premises nor any portion thereof shall not be assigned or sub-let by Tenant without the prior written consent of Landlord.

13. TENANT INSURANCE: Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant, Tenant’s family or Tenant’s invitees, licensees, and/or guests for damages not proximately caused by Landlord or Landlord’s agents. Landlord will not compensate Tenant or anyone else for damages proximately caused by any other source whatsoever, or by Acts of God, and Tenant is therefore strongly encouraged to independently purchase insurance to protect Tenant, Tenant’s family, Tenant’s invitees, licensees, and/or guests, and all personal property on the leased premises and/or in any common areas from any and all damages.

14. CONDITION OF LEASED PREMISES: Tenant hereby acknowledges that Tenant has examined the leased premises prior to the signing of this Lease, or knowingly waived said examination. Tenant acknowledges that Tenant has not relied on any representations made by Landlord or Landlord’s agents regarding the condition of the leased premises and that Tenant takes premises in its AS-IS condition with no express or implied warranties or representations beyond those contained herein or required by applicable Maryland law.

Tenant agrees not to damage the premises through any act or omission, and to be responsible for any damages sustained through the acts or omissions of Tenant, Tenant’s family or Tenant’s invitees, licensees, and/or guests. If such damages are incurred, Tenant is required to pay for any resulting repairs at the same time and in addition to the next month’s rent payment, with consequences for non-payment identical to those for non-payment of rent described herein.

At the expiration or termination of the Lease, Tenant shall return the leased premises in as good condition as when taken by Tenant at the commencement of the lease, with only normal wear-and-tear excepted. Tenant shall have the right to remove from the premises Tenant’s fixtures placed thereon by Tenant at his expense, provided, however, that Tenant in effecting removal, shall restore the leased premises to as good, safe, sound, orderly and sightly condition as before the addition of Tenant’s fixture. Failing this, Tenant shall be obligated to pay for repairs as stated above.

15. ALTERATIONS: Tenant shall make no alterations, decorations, additions, or improvements to the leased premises without first obtaining the express written consent of Landlord. Any of the above-described work shall become part of the dwelling. If carried out by independent contractors, said contractors must be approved by Landlord. Tenant shall not contract for work to be done without first placing monies sufficient to satisfy the contract price in an escrow account approved by Landlord. All work shall be done at such times and in such manner as Landlord may designate. If a construction or mechanic’s lien is placed on the leased premises as a result of the work, such shall be satisfied by Tenant within ten (10) days thereafter at Tenant’s sole expense. Tenant shall be considered in breach of this Lease upon failure to satisfy said lien.

16. NO ILLEGAL USE: Tenant shall not perpetrate, allow or suffer any acts or omissions contrary to law or ordinance to be carried out upon the leased premises or in any common area. Upon obtaining actual knowledge of any illegal acts or omissions upon the leased premises, Tenant agrees to immediately inform Landlord and the appropriate authorities. Tenant shall bear responsibility for any and all illegal acts or omissions upon the leased premises and shall be considered in breach of this Lease upon conviction of Tenant or any of Tenant’s family or invitees, licensees, and/or guests for any illegal act or omission upon the leased premises- whether known or unknown to Tenant.

17. NOTICE OF INJURIES: In the event of any significant injury or damage to Tenant, Tenant’s family, or Tenant’s invitees, licensees, and/or guests, or any personal property, suffered in the leased premises or in any common area, written notice of same shall be provided by Tenant to Landlord at the address designated for delivery of notices (identical to address for payment of rent) as soon as possible but not later than five (5) days after said injury or damage. Failure to provide such notice shall constitute a breach of this Lease.

18. LANDLORD’S RIGHT TO MORTGAGE: Tenant agrees to accept the premises subject to and subordinate to any existing or future mortgage or other lien, and Landlord reserves the right to subject premises to same. Tenant agrees to and hereby irrevocably grants Landlord power of attorney for Tenant for the sole purpose of executing and delivering in the name of the Tenant any document(s) related to the Landlord’s right to subject the premises to a mortgage or other lien.

19. DELAY IN REPAIRS: Tenant agrees that if any repairs to be made by Landlord are delayed by reasons beyond Landlords control, there shall be no effect on the obligations of Tenant under this Lease.

20. ABANDONMENT: Abandonment shall be defined as the absence of the Tenant from the leased premises for a period of seven (7) or more consecutive days while rent or any owing monies remain unpaid- whereupon Tenant will be considered in breach of this Lease. This definition is subordinate to, and shall not in any way impair, the rights and remedies of Landlord under this Lease or applicable Maryland law, except that in case of abandonment, Landlord or Landlord’s agents may immediately or any time thereafter enter and re-take the leased premises as provided by applicable Maryland law, and terminate this Lease without notice to Tenant.

21. NOTICE OF ABSENCE FROM PREMISES: If Tenant is to be absent from the leased premises for seven (7) or more consecutive days, written notice of such should be served upon Landlord. If such absences are to be customary or frequent, the expected frequency and duration of absence should be summarily noted here:

Tenant expressly agrees and understands that absence from the premises, with or without notice, in no way obviates the requirement to pay rent and other monies as stated herein, or the consequences of failure to timely pay same.

22. POSSESSION OF PREMISES: Tenant shall not be entitled to possession of the premises designated for lease until the security deposit and first month’s rent (or prorated portion thereof), less any applicable promotional discount, is paid in full and the premises designated for lease is vacated by the prior tenant.

23. DELAY OF POSSESSION: Tenant expressly agrees that if by reason of the premises being unready for occupancy, or by reason of the previous tenant or occupant of the dwelling holding over, or as a result of any other cause whatsoever, Tenant is unable to enter and occupy the premises, Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant in damages, but shall abate the rent for the period in which the Tenant is unable to occupy the premises.

24. MATERIALITY OF APPLICATION TO RENT: All representations made by Tenant(s) on the Application to Rent (or like-titled document) are material to the grant of this Lease, and the Lease is granted only on condition of the truthfulness and accuracy of said representations. If a failure to disclose or lack of truthfulness is discovered on said Application, Landlord may deem Tenant to be in breach of this Lease.

25. MODIFICATION OF THIS LEASE: Any modification of this lease shall not be binding upon Landlord unless in writing and signed by Landlord or Landlord’s authorized agent. No oral representation shall be effective to modify this Lease. If, as per the terms of this paragraph, any provision of this lease is newly added, modified, or stricken out, the remainder of this Lease shall remain in full force and effect.

26. REMEDIES NOT EXCLUSIVE: The remedies and rights contained in and conveyed by this Lease are cumulative, and are not exclusive of other rights, remedies and benefits allowed by applicable Maryland law.

27. SEVERABILITY: If any provision herein, or any portion thereof, is rendered invalid by operation of law, judgment, or court order, the remaining provisions and/or portions of provisions shall remain valid and enforceable and shall be construed to so remain.

28. NO WAIVER: The failure of Landlord to insist upon the strict performance of the terms, covenants, and agreements herein shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of Landlord's right thereafter to enforce any such term, covenant, or condition, but the same shall continue in full force and effect. No act or omission of Landlord shall be considered a waiver of any of the terms or conditions of this Lease, nor excuse any conduct contrary to the terms and conditions of this Lease, nor be considered to create a pattern of conduct between the Landlord and Tenant upon which Tenant may rely upon if contrary to the terms and conditions of this Lease.

29. ATTORNEY FEES: In the event that Landlord employees an attorney to collect any rents or other charges due hereunder by Tenant or to enforce any of Tenant's covenants herein or to protect the interest of the Landlord hereunder, in the event the Landlord prevails in court, Tenant agrees to pay a reasonable attorney's fee and all expenses and costs incurred thereby, to the extent permitted by law.

30. HEIRS AND ASSIGNS: It is agreed and understood that all covenants of this lease shall succeed to and be binding upon the respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and, except as provided herein, assigns of the parties hereto, but nothing contained herein shall be construed so as to allow the Tenant to transfer or assign this lease in violation of any term hereof.

31. DESTRUCTION OF PREMISES: In the event the leased premises shall be destroyed or rendered totally untenable by fire, windstorm, or any other cause beyond the control of Landlord, then this Lease shall cease and terminate as of the date of such destruction, and the rent shall then be accounted for between Landlord and Tenant up to the time of such damage or destruction of said premises as if being prorated as of that date. In the event the leased premises are damaged by fire, windstorm or other cause beyond the control of Landlord so as to render the same partially untenable, but repairable within a reasonable time, then this lease shall remain in force and effect and the Landlord shall, within said reasonable time, restore said premises to substantially the condition the premises were in prior to said damage, and there shall be an abatement in rent in proportion to the relationship the damaged portion of the leased premises bears to the whole of said premises.

32. EMINENT DOMAIN: In the event that the leased premises shall be taken by eminent domain, the rent shall be prorated to the date of taking and this Lease shall terminate on that date.

33. LANDLORD ENTRY: In addition to the rights provided by applicable Maryland law, Landlord shall have the right to enter the leased premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting the same and/or showing the same to prospective tenants or purchasers, and to make such reasonable repairs and alterations as may be deemed necessary by Landlord for the preservation of the leased premises or the building and to remove any alterations, additions, fixtures, and any other objects which may be affixed or erected in violation of the terms of this Lease. Landlord shall give reasonable notice of intent to enter premises except in the case of an emergency.

34. GOVERNING LAW: This Lease is governed by the statutory and case law of the State of Maryland.

35. LEAD-BASED PAINT DISCLOSURE: HOUSING BUILT BEFORE 1978 MAY CONTAIN LEAD-BASED PAINT. LEAD FROM PAINT, PAINT CHIPS, AND DUST CAN POSE HEALTH HAZARDS IF NOT MANAGED PROPERLY. LEAD EXPOSURE IS ESPECIALLY HARMFUL TO YOUNG CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN. BEFORE RENTING PRE-1978 HOUSING, LESSORS MUST DISCLOSE THE PRESENCE OF KNOWN LEAD-BASED PAINT AND/OR LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARDS IN THE DWELLING. LEASEES MUST ALSO RECEIVE A FEDERALLY APPROVED PAMPHLET ON LEAD POISONING PREVENTION.

Landlord states as follows: [Landlord check one]

The leased premises was constructed in 1978 or later.

The leased premises was constructed prior to 1978.

Landlord has conformed with all federal requirements regarding lead-based paint disclosure including the completion and mutual signing with Tenant and any agents, of the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form attached hereto and incorporated into this lease as a part hereof. All associated information required by the Disclosure form (if any) was furnished to Tenant, and Tenant received the EPA pamphlet “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.”

36. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:

WITNESS THE SIGNATURES OF THE PARTIES TO THIS RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT:

RECEIPT FOR SECURITY DEPOSIT

On the day of , 20, tenant [name] , paid to landlord [name] , a security deposit in the amount of $ pursuant to the residential rental agreement for the dwelling unit located at [address]:

Signed: Date:

A receipt for a security deposit shall notify the tenant of the following:

(1) The right to have the dwelling unit inspected by the landlord in the tenant's presence for the purpose of making a written list of damages that exist at the commencement of the tenancy if the tenant so requests by certified mail within 15 days of the tenant's occupancy;

(2) The right to be present when the landlord inspects the premises at the end of the tenancy in order to determine if any damage was done to the premises if the tenant notifies the landlord by certified mail at least 15 days prior to the date of the tenant's intended move, of the tenant's intention to move, the date of moving, and the tenant's new address;

(3) The landlord's obligation to conduct the inspection within 5 days before or after the tenant's stated date of intended moving;

(4) The landlord's obligation to notify the tenant in writing of the date of the inspection;

(5) The tenant's right to receive, by first class mail, delivered to the last known address of the tenant, a written list of the charges against the security deposit claimed by the landlord and the actual costs, within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy;

(6) The obligation of the landlord to return any unused portion of the security deposit, by first class mail, addressed to the tenant's last known address within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy; and

(7) A statement that failure of the landlord to comply with the security deposit law may result in the landlord being liable to the tenant for a penalty of up to 3 times the security deposit withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees.

Tenant(s) has/have received and understood this receipt and notification.