Under Maryland law, when can a tenant legally withhold rent?

A tenant in Maryland can legally withhold rent when the rental property is deemed uninhabitable. This principle is based on the implied warranty of habitability, which requires landlords to maintain their properties in a livable condition. If a landlord fails to address serious issues that affect health and safety—such as lack of heat, water, or electrical service—in the property, the tenant has the right to withhold rent until these issues are resolved.

In this context, "uninhabitable" refers to conditions that make a property unsafe or unsanitary, thereby violating the lease agreement. This legal right is designed to encourage landlords to meet their obligations to provide safe and healthy living conditions.

Other scenarios, such as pests or dissatisfaction with the landlord, may create legitimate grievances, but they do not automatically provide the legal grounds for withholding rent. A tenant losing their job is a personal financial matter that does not affect the habitability of the dwelling and, therefore, does not justify withholding rent. The law is focused on the condition of the property rather than the tenant's circumstances or feelings about the landlord.