In Maryland, you may sell an occupant's contents only after the occupant has been in default for more than 60 days, so day 61 is the earliest sale date. Before that you need a default notice giving at least 14 days to pay, a notice of the sale at least 10 days out, and an advertisement at least 3 days before the sale.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Review your notices and sale plan with your attorney before you act.
Maryland lien timeline at a glance
Maryland's Self-Service Storage Act is Commercial Law sections 18-501 to 18-506. The renter is the "occupant." The statute does not say when the first default notice may go out relative to the 60 days, so we assume the 14 day demand runs inside the 60 days (this is not stated in the statute).
| Step | Earliest timing | What the law requires | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Default | Day 0 | Occupant fails to perform on time any obligation in the rental agreement. | § 18-501(b) |
| 2. Late fee | Per lease | Reasonable fee for each month rent is unpaid. There is no statutory grace period. | § 18-504(l) |
| 3. Deny access | Per default | You may deny access to a space while the occupant is in default. | § 18-504(h) |
| 4. Default notice | Once in default | Hand delivery, verified mail, or email (if conditions are met). Demand payment within at least 14 days after mailing. | § 18-504(b)(1) to (3) |
| 5. Notice of sale | At least 10 days before the sale | Tell the occupant the time, place and terms of sale. | § 18-504(b)(4) |
| 6. Advertisement | At least 3 days before the sale | Newspaper of general circulation where the sale is held, email, or an online website. | § 18-504(b)(5) |
| 7. Sale | Day 61 | Public sale for cash, at the facility or on an online auction website. | § 18-504(a), (d) |
Worked example: rent was due on March 1 and never paid. Day 61 is May 1 (derived: March 1 plus 61 days). Work backward: the ad must run by April 28, the notice of sale must go out by April 21, and the default notice, with at least 14 days to pay, should go out well before that. A sale cannot be earlier than May 1 whatever your notices say.
What the Maryland lien notice must say and how to send it
The default notice must say the contents are subject to your lien, state the claim and future charges with their dates, demand payment within a stated time of at least 14 days after mailing, say the contents will be sold at a stated time and place, and give your contact information (§ 18-504(b)).
You may deliver by hand, by verified mail (USPS or a private carrier giving evidence of mailing), or by email. Email works only if the rental agreement, or a later written change, says in bold that notice may be given by email and the occupant initialed beside it. If you email and get no reply from the occupant's email address and no delivery confirmation, you must also send a second notice by verified mail to the last known postal address. The same fallback applies to the notice of sale: if you have no response or confirmation at least 5 days before the sale, promptly send a second notice of sale by verified mail.
Alternate contacts and lienholders
Maryland has no alternate contact rule. "Last known address" means the postal or email address in the rental agreement or a later written change of address (§ 18-501(c)). Surplus goes to the occupant or "other recorded lienholders," so check for a lender before you sell a vehicle or boat.
Advertising the sale
At least 3 days before the sale, advertise the time, place and terms in a newspaper of general circulation where the sale is held, by email, or on an online website. The statute states no repeat frequency. It does not say who must receive an "email" ad, so ask your attorney whether to send it to the occupant, to bidders, or both.
Late fee limits
You may charge a reasonable late fee for each month rent is unpaid, up to the greater of $20 or 20% of monthly rent. The amount and when you charge it must be disclosed in the rental agreement. The fee is allowed in addition to your other remedies (§ 18-504(l)).
Sale rules, surplus and records
- Format. A public sale for cash at the facility, or on an online auction website (the sale is deemed held at the facility).
- Redemption. The occupant may pay and redeem before the sale.
- Buyer protection. A good-faith purchaser takes free of the rights of persons against whom the lien was valid and of other lienholders.
- Your liability. If you comply, your liability is limited to the net proceeds.
- Surplus. Apply proceeds to the lien, then mail the balance by certified mail to the occupant or other recorded lienholder at the last known address. If it is returned, hold it 1 year after the sale for delivery on demand. After that it is presumed abandoned under Com. Law § 17-307.1 (unclaimed property).
- Records. The statute states no retention period. Keep proof of every notice, the ad, and the payout.
Vehicles and boats
If the occupant is in default more than 60 days and the property is a motor vehicle or watercraft, you may have it towed or removed instead of selling it. You are immune from civil liability for damage after the tower takes possession. Your rental agreement must disclose this (§ 18-503(b)(3), § 18-504(j)).
Active-duty military (SCRA)
Federal law adds protections for servicemembers, and owners must check military status before a sale. See 50 U.S.C. 3958. We found no Maryland-specific military rule in sections 18-501 to 18-506.
Common mistakes checklist
- Selling on day 60 instead of day 61 or later.
- Emailing a notice when the lease has no initialed email clause.
- Not following an email with verified mail when there is no reply.
- Skipping the separate 10 day notice of sale.
- Running the ad fewer than 3 days before the sale.
- Charging more than the greater of $20 or 20% of rent.
- Leaving the lien, tow and ad wording out of the rental agreement.
- Keeping returned surplus instead of holding it for a year.
- Skipping the servicemember status check.
Tools to help
Use the lien timeline calculator to count your dates, read about lien and auction management, and see all state lien laws. The self storage auction process guide covers the sale, and the lien notice template gives you a starting draft.
What we could not confirm
The statute does not say when the first default notice may be sent relative to the 60 days, so we assume the 14 day demand runs inside it. Day 61 is derived from "more than 60 days." The year of the email and online ad amendments is not shown on the legislature page. There is no minimum grace period for late fees.
Last reviewed: October 19, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Review every notice and sale with your attorney.