If you returned to your rental home and found the locks changed or your belongings gone, you may be left relying on your landlord’s explanation. Whitney, LLP can investigate what happened and determine whether you have a wrongful eviction claim.
We represent Rockville tenants after unlawful lockouts, mistaken apartment removals, and evictions that went ahead despite payment or an agreement to stop them. Our work focuses on pursuing compensation for the property, financial losses, and emotional distress involved. As discussed below, Rockville and Montgomery County tenants have special protections that require landlords to provide 14 days of notice prior to an eviction.
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.
Results for Maryland Tenants
Whitney, LLP has recovered substantial settlements for tenants whose homes were emptied or whose evictions should not have proceeded.
- $275,000 after a landlord emptied the wrong apartment. Our client’s rent was paid, and she had received no eviction notices. She returned from work to discover her possessions had been removed.
- $225,000 after a tenant paid the balance owed. The eviction proceeded weeks after payment, and belongings placed outside were stolen or damaged.
These are Maryland case results, not representations of outcomes in Rockville. Every case depends on its facts, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Watch Whitney, LLP’s YouTube video on its $275,000 settlement after the wrong apartment was evicted.
Reviewing What Happened at Your Rockville 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. The law also restricts unlawful lockouts and deliberate interruptions of essential services. Limited exceptions apply, including certain temporary measures to secure an unsecured property. A violation may support a claim for compensation, depending on the circumstances and the losses involved.
A landlord’s explanation may leave important questions unanswered. Who authorized the removal? Was the paperwork for your apartment? Had management received your payment or agreed to cancel the eviction?
We review evictions involving:
- Lock changes or disabled access. You could no longer enter the home even though you were still living there.
- The wrong apartment being cleared. A landlord, property manager, or removal company acted on an incorrect address or unit number.
- An eviction after payment. You paid the amount required to stop the eviction, but the removal proceeded.
- An agreement that was not honored. Management told you the eviction was canceled or gave you additional time, then acted anyway.
- Property removed before you moved out. Your landlord cleared the home while you still occupied it or before the agreed departure date.
- Threats or utility interruptions used to force you out. Save messages showing what was threatened, and tell us whether you lost access or had to leave.
Owing rent does not automatically mean the landlord handled an eviction lawfully. Likewise, a dispute with management does not by itself establish a wrongful eviction claim. We examine the records and circumstances before advising you about potential representation.
How Much Notice Must a Landlord Give Before an Eviction in Rockville?
For residential evictions covered by Maryland’s scheduled-eviction notice law, landlords within the City of Rockville must provide at least 14 days’ written notice before the sheriff’s scheduled repossession date. This notice comes after the court has issued a warrant of restitution authorizing repossession.
Rockville adopted this requirement through Ordinance 16-25 on November 10, 2025. It extends the six-day notice period provided by Maryland Code, Real Property § 8-407.
The notice must be sent by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing and posted on the rental home’s front door, with a date-stamped photograph documenting the posting. If the landlord has the tenant’s email address or cellphone number, the notice must also be sent by email or text.
What if your rental is outside Rockville city limits?
For properties covered by Montgomery County’s eviction-notice law, landlords must also provide at least 14 days’ notice and send a copy to the County’s Department of Housing and Community Affairs. That county notification requirement is separate from Rockville’s ordinance. A Rockville mailing address does not necessarily mean a property is within city limits, so provide your full rental address when requesting a case evaluation.
What the 14-day eviction notice is
This 14-day notice is the final step in the process. It comes after the landlord has already gone to court and won a judgment, and after the court has issued a warrant of restitution. It is not the same as a notice to vacate, a late-rent notice, or a lease-termination notice, which have their own separate rules and deadlines.
If your eviction already occurred, save the notice, envelope, emails, and text messages you received. These records can help us evaluate whether the required notice was provided and whether you may have a claim. If you are facing an upcoming eviction, seek prompt assistance through Maryland’s eviction-prevention resources.
What if your landlord doesn’t provide the required notice?
A landlord who skips the required notice, gives too little notice, or tries to remove you without a court order at all (by changing the locks, shutting off utilities, or putting your belongings outside) may be breaking the law. Under Maryland law, a tenant who is illegally locked out can seek relief in court, and may be entitled to damages.
If you think your landlord didn’t follow these rules, contact Whitney, LLP for a free consultation. When you contact us, provide the full rental address and unit number. We can review the property’s location, the court documents, and the process used to take possession.
If you previously contacted the city or another housing agency, save the complaint, responses, and any agreement reached with your landlord. Those records may help establish what management knew before the eviction.
Rockville’s landlord-tenant complaint process provides information and mediation. Some unresolved complaints may also be heard by the city’s Landlord-Tenant Affairs Commission. Whitney, LLP evaluates potential civil claims and represents tenants seeking compensation after wrongful evictions.
Payments, Promises, and Conflicting Records
A rent receipt or message from management can be particularly important when the landlord says an eviction was authorized.
Send us any written confirmation that:
- Your payment was received.
- Your balance was corrected.
- The eviction would be canceled.
- You could remain until an agreed date.
- Management had instructed its attorney or removal company to stop.
If the agreement was made by phone, write down when the call happened, who you spoke with, and what was said. Keep any follow-up messages.
An attorney can compare that information with the court records and removal timeline. Learn more about eviction after paying rent in Maryland.
Property Loss, Emotional Distress and Other Costs of a Wrongful Eviction
Replacing your belongings may be only part of the loss. You may also have paid for a hotel, transportation, storage, or an unexpected move. A wrongful eviction is also traumatic, and emotional distress can be a significant component of compensation recovered.
Depending on the facts and available legal claims, we may pursue compensation for damaged or missing possessions, financial losses, and emotional distress. Attorney’s fees may also be recoverable.
Photograph any belongings you can locate and make a list of what is missing. Include everyday necessities and items with personal significance. If receipts or documents were discarded, older photographs and other records may help us evaluate the losses.
Before accepting money or signing a release from your landlord, make sure to have an attorney review the proposed release. Whitney LLP’s attorneys have found that landlords often seek to have their tenants release their legal claims for a minimal amount that is far less than what the claim is worth.
Watch Whitney, LLP’s video, “Landlord Threw Out Your Belongings? Don’t Sign Their Release.”
Our Maryland wrongful eviction page explains more about the claims we handle and potential compensation.
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. We represent tenants in Rockville and throughout Maryland.
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 evictions and pursue compensation for tenants.
Consultations and case preparation can be handled remotely, including through Zoom.
Questions From Rockville Tenants
Should I contact the city or a wrongful eviction attorney?
The City of Rockville’s landlord-tenant complaint service provides information and mediation for disputes involving properties within the city. Whitney, LLP seeks compensation after wrongful evictions. If you have already filed a city complaint, tell us about it and provide any related records.
Can the county’s landlord-tenant office handle a complaint about my Rockville rental?
Montgomery County’s Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs states that properties within the incorporated City of Rockville are outside its jurisdiction. Rockville has its own complaint process. If you are unsure which office covers your rental, confirm the property’s jurisdiction before filing or call Whitney LLP.
What if my landlord says the removal company made the mistake?
Tell us what the landlord said and identify the removal company if you can. We review who authorized the work, what instructions were provided, and which parties may be responsible. You do not need to resolve that question before contacting us.
Can I ask for an evaluation without receipts for everything I lost?
Yes. Provide the records you have. Photographs, messages, bank records, and a written inventory can help us begin the review.
Request a Free Evaluation of Your Rockville Eviction
Tell us when the eviction happened, how you lost access to the property, and what happened to your belongings.
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.