Maryland Law
Right of first refusal
Right of first refusal is a Maryland rule that gives tenants in homes with three or fewer units the first chance to buy when the owner plans to sell to someone else.
Maryland's tenant right of first refusal applies to a tenant-occupied rental with three or fewer dwelling units. Before a voluntary transfer of title, the tenant has the right to buy first. The owner may not accept a third-party offer until the tenant gets written notice of the right and has a chance to use it.
As of October 2026, the tenant has 30 days after receiving the notice to deliver a written offer. If the tenant matches the same sales price as the third-party offer, the owner must accept it and notify the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs. If the tenant makes no offer, the right is waived and the owner may accept the third-party offer.
Exceptions exist, such as a transfer to a family member, a court-ordered transfer or a sale of a property with four or more units. A lease may not waive or put conditions on this right, and the notice should sit with your other tenant rights paperwork. If you plan to sell, talk to a Maryland attorney first. Our guide to selling a tenant-occupied rental covers the steps.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney.
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