Hosting their first “Day of Action,” Baltimore Renters United yesterday interacted with tenants who entered and left Baltimore District Court at its new location at 500 North Calvert Street.

Many people talk about helping tenants who are taken advantage of by landlords. But during the Day of Action, BRU actually informed them of their rights and the laws landlords have to abide by since, more often than not, this had not been explained before their appearance before a judge.

“We are hoping to ease the burden just a little bit. To say you are not alone and here are some things to prepare you before you go to court,” said BRU Executive Director Detrese Dowridge, noting that receipts, proof of a landlord’s rental license and other documents can help a tenant greatly.

It all comes down to its mission of “building tenant power” and demanding safe, healthy housing as a basic human right, she explained. “We want to ease the burden so that tenants feel confident when they come to court.”

Tenants are often summoned to court for unpaid rent, BRU recognizes that landlords have the legal right to seek payment when rent is owed.

“But for some tenants, the court system becomes a tool negligent landlords use to retaliate against those who speak up about unsafe or unhealthy living conditions,” she said.

Many tenants face an impossible choice remain silent about problems that threaten their health and safety or risk being taken to court after making good-faith complaints.

“They’re not trying to avoid their responsibilities, they’re trying to secure safe, habitable housing while navigating financial hardship, unresolved maintenance issues, or both,” Dowridge continued. “Many eviction cases involve far more than unpaid rent; they often reflect deeper problems of neglect, retaliation, and unequal power between landlords and tenants.”

If the judge rules in their favor, a landlord can file a warrant of restitution, arranging for the tenant to be evicted under the supervision of the sheriff’s department.

In 2025, there were 32,600 warrants of restitution and 4,666 actual evictions. This compared to 34,110 warrants filed in 2024 and 3,538 evictions.

So far this year, more than 6,900 warrants of restitution were filed, according to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Landlord & Tenant Eviction Dashboard, and 744 evictions have been executed, according to the District Court of Maryland Eviction Case Data.

Eviction rates vary markedly among different groups. Many more female-headed households were removed from their homes compared to male-headed households, according to a 2020 study of Baltimore evictions, and the number of Black evictions was three times higher than white removals.

About 25% of those evicted wind up homeless, BRU estimates.

The court process is often extremely quick and not explained to those who go through it, Dowridge said.

Tenants are often not allowed to raise a defense or have enough time to seek representation. The notice summoning tenants to court often leave out important information regarding next steps.

“Tenants have told me they don’t know they have access to counsel until it’s too late,” she pointed out.

Multiple tenants stopped by to talk to BRU members outside the courthouse. Shanice Bright said she had gone to court without a lawyer and was unaware that representation was even an option.

As of last October, all Maryland households whose incomes are at or less than half of the state’s median income have the right to free legal representation during eviction proceedings.

In Baltimore, all rental properties must pass an inspection by a state-certified inspector and obtain a rental license from the city housing department. Those who are not properly licensed cannot use the court system to evict tenants for nonpayment of rent or overstaying their lease.

But unlicensed landlords sometimes do take tenants to court in order to take advantage of tenants’ lack of knowledge.

This is why BRU wants every tenant to know their landlord must be licensed, Dowridge explained.

Forging Connections

“This was very helpful,” she said. “I really did not know when I went into the court that it was actually a trial.”

Dowridge explained that BRU is able to connect with tenants because many of its members have gone through similar situations.

Ellena Prince was introduced to BRU when they helped her connect with other tenants after the landlord cut back on maintenance and the property’s physical condition deteriorated. A change in ownership – and a likely rent hike in the future – convinced Prince to stay in contact with the group.

BRU’s presence at the courthouse helps those who feel unheard and hopeless, Prince said.

“A lot of times people just want to be respected and listened to. And when you can give [renters] some information that can possibly help them, it’s empowering.”

Angel Cook said that BRU taught her tenant rights and how to organize after a financially predatory landlord targeted Cook due to her disability status and low income.

A lifelong organizer and activist, Cook spoke out as the landlord neglected the property and her well being time and again. BRU reached out to Cook, informed her of the rights of tenants and the two began to work together to organize meetings with Cook’s fellow tenants and fight back.

Dowridge said knowledge-sharing is a core principle of the group, which was formed by housing advocates, unions and legal services groups in 2017.

“Like the last young lady I met, she wanted me to give her information so she can pass it on to her neighbors,” Dowridge said. “It just goes to show why this [work] is much needed.”