Md. Rule 14-606 (2026)

(a) Timing. The court shall schedule a hearing for a date no earlier than 30 days after the date the complaint is accepted for filing by the clerk.

Cross reference: Code, Tax--Property Article, § 14-876.

(b) Right to Cure. Until a judgment foreclosing the tax lien is entered in favor of the county or municipal corporation, any interested party may cure the tax lien by paying all past due taxes, including penalties and interest.

Cross reference: See Code, Tax--Property Article, § 14-804 (unpaid taxes on real property are tax liens) and Code, Tax--Property Article, § 14-875(g).

(c) Conduct of Hearing. Any interested party shall have the right to be heard, to contest the delinquency of the taxes, and to contest the adequacy of the proceedings.

Cross reference: See Code, Tax--Property Article, § 14-876(b).

(d) Finding. If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) notice has been provided to all interested parties pursuant to Rule 14-605 and (2) the information set forth in the complaint is accurate and in compliance with Rule 14-604, the court shall enter a judgment in favor of the county or municipal corporation.

Cross reference: See Code, Tax--Property Article, § 14-876(c).

(e) Judgment. The judgment shall:

(1) include a finding that notice has been provided to all interested parties;

(2) include a finding that the real property is a vacant lot or an improved property cited as vacant and unsafe or unfit for human habitation or other authorized use and that the value of the real property is shown to be less than the amount of the unpaid taxes; and

(3) order that ownership of the real property be transferred to the county or municipal corporation on behalf of which the complaint was filed.

Cross reference: See Code, Tax--Property Article, §§ 14-876(c)(1)-(2).

Source: This Rule is new.

Credits

[Adopted June 29, 2020, eff. Aug. 1, 2020. Amended Sept. 30, 2022, eff. Jan. 1, 2023.]