Free Legal Help for Tenants and Landlords in Maryland
Legal aid organizations, right-to-counsel programs and official court self-help resources in Maryland, gathered from the state, county and city pages on this site.
Right to a free lawyer in eviction cases
Statewide: Yes, a statewide access-to-counsel program. 'Covered individuals' have access to legal representation in eviction matters through the Access to Counsel in Evictions Program, run by the Maryland Legal Services Corporation. A covered individual is a non-owner occupant, including a public-housing tenant, whose household income is no more than 50% of the state median income, adjusted for household size. Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-901 to 8-903 (Access to Counsel in Evictions, 2021)
- Montgomery County (Rockville, Silver Spring): Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE), a statewide program: tenants living in Maryland with household income at or below 50% of Maryland's median income may get a free lawyer in failure-to-pay-rent, breach-of-lease and tenant-holding-over cases (and voucher/subsidy terminations). Call 211 or apply via the ACE website. Source
- Baltimore City: Baltimore City Code Art. 13, Subtitle 6A (Tenants' Right to Counsel in Eviction Cases), § 6A-3: covered individuals are to be offered legal representation from a designated organization in covered eviction-related proceedings, prioritized by lowest income and subject to appropriation. The statewide Maryland ACE program also applies (income at or below 50% of state median; call 211). Source
- Prince George's County (Upper Marlboro, Hyattsville): Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE), a statewide program: tenants living in Maryland with household income at or below 50% of Maryland's median income may get a free lawyer in failure-to-pay-rent, breach-of-lease and tenant-holding-over cases (and voucher/subsidy terminations). Call 211 or apply via the ACE website. Source
- Baltimore County (Towson): Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE), a statewide program: tenants living in Maryland with household income at or below 50% of Maryland's median income may get a free lawyer in failure-to-pay-rent, breach-of-lease and tenant-holding-over cases (and voucher/subsidy terminations). Call 211 or apply via the ACE website. Source
- Anne Arundel County (Annapolis): Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE), a statewide program: tenants living in Maryland with household income at or below 50% of Maryland's median income may get a free lawyer in failure-to-pay-rent, breach-of-lease and tenant-holding-over cases (and voucher/subsidy terminations). Call 211 or apply via the ACE website. Source
- Howard County (Ellicott City): Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE), a statewide program: tenants living in Maryland with household income at or below 50% of Maryland's median income may get a free lawyer in failure-to-pay-rent, breach-of-lease and tenant-holding-over cases (and voucher/subsidy terminations). Call 211 or apply via the ACE website. Source
- Frederick County: Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE), a statewide program: tenants living in Maryland with household income at or below 50% of Maryland's median income may get a lawyer in failure-to-pay-rent, breach-of-lease and tenant-holding-over cases (and voucher/subsidy terminations). Call 211 or apply through the ACE website. Source
- Harford County: Statewide Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) program: tenants with household income at or below 50% of Maryland's median income may get a free lawyer in failure-to-pay-rent, breach-of-lease and tenant-holding-over cases and voucher/subsidy terminations. Call 211 or visit legalhelpmd.org. Source
- Washington County (Hagerstown): Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions Program (created by the General Assembly in 2021) gives eligible tenants access to lawyers in eviction and subsidy-termination cases; it began in some jurisdictions July 1, 2022 with statewide implementation targeted for October 1, 2025. For help, call 2-1-1 and say you need legal help with an eviction case. Source
- Baltimore: Yes, for all tenants regardless of income, with priority for the lowest incomes, subject to appropriation (City Code Art. 13, Subtitle 6A). Source
Free legal aid organizations
- Maryland Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) — Eligible tenants; call 2-1-1 and say you need legal help with an eviction case, or use the online intake.Serves: Montgomery County (Rockville, Silver Spring), Baltimore City, Prince George's County (Upper Marlboro, Hyattsville), Baltimore County (Towson), Anne Arundel County (Annapolis), Howard County (Ellicott City)
- Maryland Legal Aid — Free civil legal services for eligible low-income Marylanders; intake 888-465-2468.Serves: Montgomery County (Rockville, Silver Spring), Baltimore City, Prince George's County (Upper Marlboro, Hyattsville), Baltimore County (Towson), Anne Arundel County (Annapolis), Howard County (Ellicott City)
- Baltimore City DHCD - Legal Resources for Renters — City list of free legal advice/representation providers (Maryland Legal Aid, Public Justice Center, HPRP, Pro Bono Resource Center Tenant Volunteer Lawyer of the Day, Disability Rights Maryland).Serves: Baltimore City
- Howard County Office of Consumer Protection — Not a legal aid provider: investigates and mediates tenant-landlord complaints under county law (410-313-6420).Serves: Howard County (Ellicott City)
- Maryland Legal Aid - Midwestern Maryland Office — Serves Frederick, Carroll and Washington counties. 22 S. Market St., Suite 11, Frederick, MD 21701; (301) 694-7414; statewide intake (888) 465-2468.Serves: Washington County (Hagerstown)
- Maryland Legal Aid - Lower Eastern Shore Office — 113 Broad St., Salisbury, MD 21801; local (410) 546-5511; main intake (888) 465-2468. Serves Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.Serves: Wicomico County
Find a tenant or eviction lawyer in Maryland
If you do not qualify for free legal aid, a bar lawyer referral service can match you with a landlord-tenant lawyer for a low-cost first consultation.
Official court and state resources
- DHCD Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs
- Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights (DHCD)
- Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights PDF (effective Oct 1, 2026)
- Maryland Judiciary: Housing / Eviction Cases
- Maryland Attorney General: Landlords and Tenants — Tips on Avoiding Disputes (Rev. Feb. 2025)
- Real Property § 8-203 (security deposits)
- Real Property § 8-401 (failure to pay rent)
Legal aid groups set their own eligibility rules (usually income-based). Call ahead or check their site.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.