If your landlord locked you out, emptied your apartment, or went ahead with an eviction that should have been stopped, Whitney, LLP can review what happened. We represent tenants in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County seeking compensation after a wrongful eviction.
Our cases involve apartment owners, property management companies, private landlords, and the people responsible for removing tenants’ belongings. We investigate why the eviction happened and the losses it caused.
Call 410-583-8000 or request a free case evaluation. For accepted wrongful eviction cases, there are no out-of-pocket expenses. Attorney fees and case expenses are paid from the recovery.
Recovering Compensation for Wrongfully Evicted Tenants
Whitney, LLP has recovered six-figure settlements for Maryland tenants, including:
- $275,000 after the wrong apartment was emptied. Our client returned from work to find her belongings gone, despite having paid her rent and received no eviction notices.
- $225,000 after an eviction proceeded despite payment. The tenant paid the balance owed after a rent judgment, but the eviction went ahead weeks later. Some of her belongings were stolen or damaged after being placed outside.
These are Maryland case results. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Watch Whitney, LLP explain how the firm recovered a $275,000 settlement after a landlord emptied the wrong apartment.
A wrongful eviction claim may address lost or damaged belongings, temporary housing costs, other financial losses, and emotional distress. Depending on the legal claims, attorney’s fees may also be recoverable.
Tell us about the full impact of the eviction, including possessions with personal significance. Receipts help, but they may not tell the whole story of what you lost.
Eviction Notices and the Sheriff’s Role in Anne Arundel County
A landlord telling you to leave is not the same as a court authorizing your eviction.
Under Maryland law, a landlord generally must recover possession through a court-issued warrant of restitution executed by a sheriff or constable, unless the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the home. In Anne Arundel County, the Sheriff’s Office carries out court-ordered evictions.
The county also has local notice requirements. For residential evictions covered by its landlord-tenant eviction law, the landlord must provide written notice at least 14 days before the scheduled repossession date set by the Sheriff’s Office.
If you were removed earlier than expected, save the notice and any messages about the date. Tell us when the locks changed, when your belongings were taken, and who was present. We can compare that timeline with the court records and the requirements that applied to your eviction.
Was Your Annapolis Eviction Handled Improperly?
Contact Whitney, LLP if you experienced any of these situations:
- Your landlord changed the locks or shut off essential services to force you out. Save any messages threatening those actions and explain when you lost access to your home.
- The wrong apartment was emptied. Keep documents showing your address and unit number, along with anything management said about the mistake.
- The eviction proceeded after payment or an agreement to stop it. Payment confirmations and written agreements can help establish what should have happened. Read more about eviction after paying rent in Maryland.
- Your belongings were removed before you finished moving out. Tell us what remained in the home, whether you had returned the keys, and what you had agreed with the landlord.
We review the circumstances, court records, and communications to determine whether you may have a claim. Owing rent or having a dispute with management does not automatically resolve whether the landlord acted lawfully.
What to Save After an Eviction
Start with what you have. You do not need to reconstruct every detail before contacting us.
Useful records include:
- Your lease and eviction notices.
- Court papers showing the case number and rental address.
- Rent receipts and payment confirmations.
- Texts or emails about payment, moving dates, or canceling the eviction.
- Photographs of the apartment and missing or damaged belongings.
- Receipts for temporary housing, moving, storage, and replacement items.
- Names of witnesses who saw the lockout or removal.
Write down when you last entered the home, when you discovered the eviction, and what the landlord told you afterward.
If your records disappeared with your belongings, let us know. Older photographs and a written inventory can help us begin reviewing the losses.
Before Accepting Money From Your Landlord
After an eviction, a landlord may offer a payment, rent credit, or reimbursement for a few items. You may also be asked to sign a release.
Before agreeing, consider whether the offer accounts for the expenses and losses you are still discovering. A release can affect your ability to pursue further compensation.
Whitney, LLP can review the proposed agreement alongside the circumstances of the eviction. If you already signed something, send us a copy so we can evaluate what it says.
Before signing a release, watch Whitney, LLP’s video, “Landlord Threw Out Your Belongings? Don’t Sign Their Release.”
For more information about our practice, visit our Maryland wrongful eviction lawyer page.
Serving Annapolis and Anne Arundel County
We help tenants in Annapolis and throughout Anne Arundel County, including Glen Burnie, Pasadena, Severna Park, Crownsville, Crofton, and Edgewater.
Our office is in Towson. Consultations and case preparation can be handled remotely, including through Zoom. You do not need to live near the office to request an evaluation.
About Our Wrongful Eviction Attorneys
Daniel W. Whitney, Jr. and Daniel W. Whitney, Sr. of Whitney, LLP
Whitney, LLP is a consumer protection and civil litigation firm based in Towson. Our attorneys represent tenants in Annapolis and throughout Maryland after wrongful evictions.
Daniel W. Whitney, Jr. built the firm’s wrongful eviction practice and has filed lawsuits against landlords across Maryland. He works alongside Daniel W. Whitney, Sr. and the firm’s attorneys to investigate unlawful removals and pursue compensation for affected tenants.
Questions About Hiring a Wrongful Eviction Lawyer
Can I contact you if I owed rent?
Yes. Owing rent does not automatically rule out a wrongful eviction claim. We review how the landlord took possession and whether the required process was followed.
Does losing my belongings mean the eviction was illegal?
Not necessarily. We need to review the eviction itself, when and how the belongings were removed, and the laws that applied. Tell us what happened even if you are unsure whether the landlord acted unlawfully.
What if I cannot afford an attorney?
Our wrongful eviction case evaluations are free. For accepted cases, there are no out-of-pocket expenses. Attorney fees and case expenses are paid from the recovery.
Where can I find help if I am still facing eviction?
Our wrongful eviction practice focuses on pursuing compensation after an unlawful eviction. If you need help with a pending eviction or an immediate housing problem, Anne Arundel County’s Housing Resource Portal lists legal resources, housing programs, and emergency assistance options. Availability and eligibility vary by program.
Discuss Your Annapolis Eviction With Whitney, LLP
If you have already been locked out, had your belongings removed, or otherwise been wrongfully evicted, tell us what happened. We can review the circumstances and explain what information would help us evaluate a potential claim.
Our intake staff will ask for a timeline and supporting information. Once we receive the requested information, an attorney can generally evaluate the matter within about a week, although timing may vary. We will follow up to discuss how we may be able to help and answer your questions.
Call 410-583-8000 or contact Whitney, LLP online for a free wrongful eviction case evaluation.