Notice of intent to file

A notice of intent to file is the required first step before a failure to pay rent case. As of October 2026, Maryland says the landlord must give the tenant written notice of the intent to file a claim in the District Court to recover possession, and the tenant may cure within 10 days after the notice is provided.

The notice must be on a form created by the Maryland Judiciary. It counts as given when it is sent by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, or affixed to the door of the home. If the tenant elects it, it can also go by email, text message or an electronic tenant portal, and the landlord must keep proof of the transmission.

Skipping or botching this notice can derail a case. Keep a copy of the form and the proof of delivery. The tenant has those 10 days to cure the problem. If the problem is not cured, the landlord may file, and may later request a warrant of restitution only after winning a judgment.

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