Wrongful Detainer & Tenant Holding Over Attorney Prince George's County

Serving Property Owners in Prince George's County

Prince George's County has one of the largest and most active rental housing markets in Maryland. The combination of local licensing requirements, the applicability of the County's public local laws, and a high-volume District Court makes experienced local counsel especially important.

The Cohen Law Firm represents Prince George's County property owners in wrongful detainer and holding-over proceedings. We do not handle failure-to-pay-rent cases.

Prince George's County District Court

Detail
Address	14735 Main Street, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
Wrongful Detainer hearing	Within 10 business days of filing
Service deadline	Within 4 business days of filing
Warrant execution notice	At least 6 days before scheduled date (§ 8-407)

Prince George's County — Local Considerations

Prince George's County has specific rental licensing requirements, and § 8-406 applies. The County also has its own Subtitle 9 public local laws governing repossession proceedings, referenced alongside § 8-401 and § 8-402 in the state statute. Additionally, the § 8-402(c)(4) exception that allows shortened notice periods for landlords facing foreclosure does not apply in Prince George's County or Baltimore City — the standard notice timelines control in both jurisdictions.

The District Court in Upper Marlboro handles substantial volume. Having counsel familiar with both the state statutory framework and local Prince George's County practice is especially important in this jurisdiction.

Which Action Applies in Prince George's County?

Selecting the Right Action

Your Situation	Applicable Action
Former tenant staying after lease ended; prior formal tenancy	§ 8-402 — Holding Over
Person with no lease or formal tenancy refuses to vacate	§ 14-132 — Wrongful Detainer
Family member, domestic partner, or guest refuses to leave	§ 14-132 — Wrongful Detainer
Squatter or unauthorized occupant on vacant property	§ 14-132 — Wrongful Detainer

The Process in Prince George's County

A wrongful detainer complaint or holding-over complaint is filed in the Prince George's County District Court. Under § 14-132, the court must schedule a hearing within 10 business days and service must be made within 4 business days. The respondent in a wrongful detainer case cannot file any counterclaim or cross-claim — the proceeding is limited to the question of possession.

After judgment, the landlord must give at least 6 days' written notice under § 8-407 before the sheriff executes a warrant of restitution. The full timeline from filing to physical possession is typically 3–5 weeks assuming no appeal and no complications with service.

Notice Requirements — Prince George's County

Required Termination Notice — § 8-402(c)

Tenancy Type	Required Notice
Written lease / month-to-month	60 days before expiration
Year-to-year (non-farm)	90 days before end of current year
Year-to-year (farm)	180 days before end of current year
Week-to-week (written lease)	7 days
Week-to-week (no written lease)	21 days

Frequently Asked Questions — Prince George's County

No. Self-help remedies — changing locks, removing belongings, cutting utilities — are illegal in Maryland regardless of whether the occupant has a formal lease. Property owners who attempt self-help face civil liability and potential criminal exposure. The remedies under § 8-402 and § 14-132 are the exclusive lawful means to recover possession.

Under § 14-132, the Prince George's County District Court must schedule a hearing within 10 business days of filing. Service must be made within 4 business days. After judgment, the landlord must provide at least 6 days' written notice before the sheriff executes the warrant. The full timeline from filing to physical possession is typically 3–5 weeks assuming no appeal and no complications with service.

Under § 14-132(d)(3), if the person cannot be found after two good-faith attempts on different days, service may be completed by filing an affidavit of those attempts, mailing by certified and first-class mail, and affixing the summons conspicuously on the property. This constructive service is legally sufficient to support a restitution judgment. Service must still be completed within 4 business days of filing.

Not in a § 14-132 wrongful detainer action. The statute expressly prohibits counterclaims and cross-claims. This keeps the case focused on possession and prevents the respondent from using unrelated claims to delay or complicate the proceedings.

The Cohen Law Firm · Prince George's County

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Wrongful Detainer & Tenant Holding Over Attorney —Prince George's County