Misrepresentation and other prohibited acts.
Baltimore City Public Local Laws, Subtitle 9, § 9-15
in effect§ 9-15 Misrepresentation and other prohibited acts.
(a) Definitions.
(1) In general.
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2) Agent.
“Agent” means any authorized individual or business acting on behalf of an owner.
(3) Landlord.
“Landlord” means an owner of real property located within Baltimore City, an agent of the owner, or an operator who promises to lease all or any portion of a property to another person for the person’s use, in exchange for an agreed upon amount of money or services.
(4) Lease.
“Lease” means any oral or written agreement, express or implied, creating a landlord and tenant relationship, including any sublease, that grants the tenant the use of the landlord’s property for a given period of time in exchange for rent in the form of money or services.
(5) Operator.
“Operator” means any person who has charge, care, or control of all or any portion of a structure or premises on behalf of the owner.
(6) Tenant.
“Tenant” means any person who has been given the right to use or occupy rental property through a lease agreement.
(b) Prohibited acts.
An agent, a landlord, or an operator may not:
(1) falsely makes any representation or statement required by Sections 9-2, 9-3, 9-12, 9-13, 9-14, 9-15, or 9-19 and Article 13, § 8A-2 of the Baltimore City Code to be given;
(2) falsely makes any representation or statement in connection with the giving of the notice or complaint required by Sections 9-2, 9-3, 9-12, 9-13, 9-14, 9-15, or 9-19 and Article 13, § 8A-2 of the Baltimore City Code to be given;
(3) falsely makes any representation or statement at, during, or in connection with any proceeding for the enforcement of any rights for the speedy recovery of lands or tenements held over by tenants;
(4) in an attempt to circumvent the protection accorded tenants by Sections 9-2, 9-3, 9-12, 9-13, 9-14, 9-15, or 9-19 and Article 13, § 8A-2 of the Baltimore City Code, wilfully deprive a tenant of ingress to or egress from his dwelling;
(5) without the consent of the tenant, intentionally:
(i) interrupt, terminate, or diminish, any utility service furnished to the tenant, including, but not limited to, water, heat, light, electricity, gas, elevator, or similar services to which under the expressed or implied terms of the tenancy the tenant may be entitled;
(ii) remove furnishings, cooking facilities, appliances, or similar items to which under the express or implied terms of the tenancy the tenant may be entitled;
(iii) prevent the tenant from gaining reasonable access to the property by changing the locks and failing to provide the tenant with new keys;
(iv) remove outside doors or windows; or
(v) remove from the premises the tenant’s personal property, furnishings, or any other items.
(c) Penalties.
An agent, a landlord, or an operator who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment of not more than 10 days, or both fine and imprisonment for each offense.
(2018, Chs. 637 and 638, eff. Oct. 1, 2018; Ord. 09-217; Ord. 91-662; Ord. 42-769; Ord. 42-684, §4.)
Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/public-local-laws/9/9-15Fetched: 10/25/2026