Owning rental property should not feel like a second full time job. When a lease violation, unpaid rent, or a holdover situation puts your income and your property at risk, you need a clear plan and a legal team that knows the local District Court process.
Kunka Law has partnered with attorney Phillip Chalker to expand our services for Maryland property owners. Phillip will focus on representing landlords in landlord tenant matters, combining practical courtroom strategy with detailed knowledge of Maryland rental laws so you can protect your investment and move forward with confidence.
Our New Partnership: Phillip Chalker Leads Landlord Representation at Kunka Law
Landlord tenant disputes move fast. Deadlines are short, paperwork matters, and small mistakes can delay getting your unit back or collecting what you are owed. With this new partnership, Kunka Law clients will have dedicated landlord tenant counsel through Phillip Chalker, working alongside Matt Kunka and our team.
Phillip Chalker graduated from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. After law school, he worked for the Social Security Administration, drafting hundreds of disability decisions and mentoring new attorneys. He later participated in the Law Entrepreneurs for Access Program and has since become a Professor at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. He has also served in leadership and community roles, including board service and published legal writing.
Bar Admissions and Recognition
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- Maryland Super Lawyers recognition including Rising Star (2020 to 2024) and Super Lawyer (2025)
Understanding Landlord Tenant Disputes in Maryland
Landlord tenant cases usually come down to documentation, timing, and proof. Courts often want to see a clean record of the lease terms, rent ledger, notices, communications, and the steps taken before filing. Having the right process in place can help you recover possession sooner and strengthen your claim for money damages.
Common landlord situations we handle include:
- Failure to Pay Rent: Preparing notices, filing the proper action, and presenting a clear rent ledger.
- Holdover Tenants: When a tenant stays after the lease ends or after a termination notice.
- Lease Enforcement: Addressing noncompliance with lease terms and building a court ready record.
- Security Deposit Disputes: Advising on lawful deductions, inspection documentation, and statutory timelines.
- Rent Escrow Cases: Responding when a tenant files for rent escrow related to alleged serious defects.
Key Maryland Rules Landlords Should Know
Maryland has specific statutory requirements that impact how and when a landlord can file, what notices are required, and how security deposits must be handled. Here are several rules that frequently affect landlord cases.
- Security deposit limits and timing: Maryland law generally limits a security deposit to the equivalent of one month’s rent per dwelling unit, with a narrow exception that can allow up to two months’ rent in certain utility assistance situations. Landlords also have specific requirements for returning deposits and providing itemized deductions, often within 45 days after the end of the tenancy.
- 10 day notice before filing for nonpayment: Before filing a residential failure to pay rent case, a landlord must provide written notice of intent to file and give the tenant 10 days to cure.
- Holdover and termination notice rules: For many month to month situations, landlords must provide written notice well before the intended termination date. Maryland’s holdover statute also describes minimum notice periods that can apply depending on the type of tenancy.
- Rent escrow is limited to serious and dangerous defects: Rent escrow is designed for conditions that pose a substantial threat to life, health, or safety, not minor issues. These cases still require a careful response and evidence.
Elements of a Strong Landlord Case
While every situation is different, successful landlord claims usually require clear proof of the key facts and strict compliance with notice and filing requirements. A strong case often includes:
- Clear lease terms: A written lease that identifies rent amount, due date, late fee terms, and responsibilities for utilities or other charges.
- Accurate rent ledger: A straightforward record showing what was owed, what was paid, and what remains due, organized by rental period.
- Proper notices and timing: The correct notice for the type of action, delivered and documented properly, with sufficient time before filing.
- Proof of the violation: Nonpayment documentation, lease expiration, termination proof, or other evidence supporting the claim.
- Documented damages: Evidence supporting money claims such as unpaid rent, holdover damages, and costs where permitted.
The Role of a Landlord Tenant Attorney
In landlord tenant matters, the right legal strategy can help you avoid delays and strengthen your position from the first notice through the hearing and enforcement stage. Our landlord focused representation includes:
- Case assessment and filing strategy: Choosing the right action, preparing court ready documentation, and avoiding common procedural missteps.
- Notice preparation and compliance: Drafting or reviewing notices and building a record that supports your timeline and your claims.
- Court representation: Presenting the lease, ledger, notices, and testimony clearly and effectively at the District Court hearing.
- Negotiation when it helps: Structured agreements that protect your property and reduce vacancy time when an agreed resolution makes sense.
- Post judgment next steps: Guidance on enforcement options and practical planning after the court’s decision.
Why Choose Phillip Chalker and Matt Kunka
Landlords need counsel that is direct, organized, and ready to move. Our partnership brings focused landlord tenant representation with courtroom experience and a practical approach.
- Landlord focused representation: Phillip Chalker is dedicated to representing landlords in landlord tenant matters, with a process designed to reduce delays and protect your income stream.
- Strategic, court ready preparation: We help you build a clean record and present your case in a way the court can quickly follow.
- Local knowledge: Familiarity with Maryland court procedures and what judges commonly expect in landlord filings and hearings.
- Practical communication: Clear guidance on what to do next, what documents to gather, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
- Results driven approach: From first notice to hearing preparation, we focus on the outcome that best protects your property and your bottom line.
If you are a landlord in Glen Burnie, Columbia, or nearby Maryland communities and you need help with a landlord tenant dispute, contact Kunka Law to speak with Phillip Chalker and our team. This page is for general information and is not legal advice. Every case depends on its specific facts.