---
title: "What Is Failure to pay rent? Landlord and Renter Glossary"
description: "Failure to pay rent is the Maryland District Court case a landlord files to recover a home when a tenant has not paid rent that is due."
url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/failure-to-pay-rent
publisher: Real Property Management Gold
phone: +1-301-392-2172
assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment
---

Maryland Law

# Failure to pay rent

Failure to pay rent is the Maryland District Court case a landlord files to recover a home when a tenant has not paid rent that is due. People often call it rent court.

Failure to pay rent is the court case a Maryland landlord files when rent stays unpaid. The Maryland Courts describe "Rent Court" as the term for Failure to Pay Rent cases heard in the District Court. It is a legal process, not a lock change or a self-help move.

Before filing, the landlord must give the tenant a written [notice of intent to file](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/notice-of-intent-to-file). The tenant has 10 days after that notice is provided to cure the problem. If the tenant does not, the landlord may file a complaint and the court sets a hearing. If the landlord wins and the tenant still does not leave, the next step is a [warrant of restitution](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/warrant-of-restitution), which only a sheriff or constable carries out.

Clear records matter in this process: the lease, the rent ledger and proof of notice. Our guide to [Southern Maryland evictions](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-evictions) walks through each stage.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney.

[Read nextThe Maryland Eviction Process for Unpaid Rent, Step by Step](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-evictions)

## Related terms

-   [Notice of intent to file](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/notice-of-intent-to-file)
-   [Warrant of restitution](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/warrant-of-restitution)
-   [Late fee](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/late-fee)

## Sources

1.  [Maryland Courts: Rent Court for Landlords Part 2, I Won in Rent Court, Now What](https://www.mdcourts.gov/video/courthelp/i-won-now-what-rent-court)
2.  [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-401, Failure to pay rent](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-401&enactments=false)

## Ask what your home could rent for. Free.

A free rental assessment from our offices in Lexington Park and Waldorf. No cost, no contract, no pressure.

[Request a free assessment](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment)[(301) 392-2172](tel:+13013922172)