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MarylandHB 03472025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Real Property – Recordation and Land Records – Requirements

Sponsored By: Marvin E. Holmes (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Real PropertyArchivesDeedsElectronic CommunicationElectronic DocumentsElectronic GovernmentEquipment -see also- Charging; Med. Equip.; MV Equip; etc.Fees -see also- Attys' Fees; Devt Fees & TaxesLand Records -see also- DeedsLaws and Ordinances -see also- Pub Local Laws; Uniform LawsLiensMaps and ChartsMortgagesNoticesPublic InformationRecordationRecords -see also- Land Records; Vital RecordsStandards and Best PracticesState Documents -see also- Maryland RegisterTitles -see also- DeedsTransfer of Goods -see also- Goods&Svc; Leas&Rnt; RetailSaleWeights and Measures

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.

Posted notices allowed in ground-lease possession cases

Beginning October 1, 2025, landlords can post possession notices under Maryland court rules for qualifying 99-year ground leases that renew forever. This applies to nonresidential property and residential buildings with more than four units, not one-to-four-unit residential property. At least six months of ground rent must be unpaid, and the landlord must have the right to reenter for nonpayment. The landlord must send the required ground-rent bill and wait at least 45 days. Posting is allowed when personal service is not possible or no tenant occupies the property, and replaces a demand and reentry.

Property records track transfers and stay public

Beginning October 1, 2025, county assessment offices must update ownership records effective on the date the transfer document is recorded. Offices must receive the transfer document, completed intake sheet, and any required survey; electronic delivery is allowed. After recording fees are paid, circuit court clerks must record deeds and other property documents in publicly available land records.

Triple recording fees for poorly formatted documents

Beginning October 1, 2025, printed deeds and other documents need a top margin of at least 3 inches on the first page. Every page needs left and right margins of at least 1 inch. Documents that fail the applicable formatting rules face a recording charge of three times the normal fee.

Fewer required ways to find property records

Beginning October 1, 2025, clerks no longer must index a deed retaining a seller’s lien as both a deed and a lien. Clerks also no longer must include every property identifier supplied on an intake sheet in the land-record index. These changes remove required search tools for people checking property records.

Subdivision owners face revised filing rules

Beginning October 1, 2025, owners recording commercial, industrial, or residential subdivision maps must submit three legible, accurately scaled copies. Allowed materials are transparent mylar or an archival-standard black-line photo process; linen is no longer allowed. The fee remains $5 per set, with additional fees allowed when local law or ordinance requires them. Plats showing property or rights-of-way the State Highway Administration will acquire or grant require no fee. Queen Anne’s County remains exempt from certain plat provisions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marvin E. Holmes

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Jen Terrasa

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 321 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/2/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 139 • No: 0

House vote • 2/20/2025

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 136 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by the Governor - Chapter 65

    4/8/2025

  2. Passed Enrolled

    4/2/2025House

  3. Third Reading Passed (139-0)

    4/2/2025House

  4. House Concurs Senate Amendments

    4/2/2025House

  5. Third Reading Passed (46-0)

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. Motion Special Order until 3/28 (Senator Ferguson) Adopted

    3/27/2025Senate

  7. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    3/26/2025Senate

  8. Favorable with Amendments {763521/1 Adopted

    3/26/2025Senate

  9. Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings

    3/26/2025Senate

  10. Referred Judicial Proceedings

    2/21/2025Senate

  11. Third Reading Passed (136-0)

    2/20/2025House

  12. Second Reading Passed with Amendments

    2/18/2025House

  13. Favorable with Amendments {403721/1 Adopted

    2/18/2025House

  14. Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation

    2/17/2025House

  15. Hearing 1/24 at 2:30 p.m.

    1/20/2025House

  16. Hearing canceled

    1/20/2025House

  17. Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m.

    1/15/2025House

  18. First Reading Environment and Transportation

    1/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enacted

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    4/2/2025

    PDF

  • Third Reading

    2/18/2025

    PDF

  • First Reading

    1/13/2025

    PDF

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