2326

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 414

OWNED OR (2) SINGLE OR MULTIPLE UNITS.

(B) THIS SECTION PROVIDES A REMEDY AND IMPOSES AN
OBLIGATION UPON LANDLORDS TO REPAIR AND ELIMINATE
CONDITIONS AND DEFECTS WHICH CONSTITUTE, OR IF NOT
PROMPTLY CORRECTED WILL CONSTITUTE, A FIRE HAZARD OR A
SERIOUS AND SUBSTANTIAL THREAT TO THE LIFE, HEALTH OR
SAFETY OF OCCUPANTS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

(1)    LACK OF HEAT, OF LIGHT, ELECTRICITY, OR
OF HOT OR COLD RUNNING WATER, EXCEPT WHERE THE TENTANT IS
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE UTILITIES AND THE LACK
THEREOF IS THE DIRECT RESULT OF THE TENANT'S FAILURE TO
PAY THE CHARGES; OR

(2)    LACK OF ADEQUATE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
FACILITIES; OR

(3)    INFESTATION OF RODENTS IN TWO OR MORE
DWELLING UNITS; OR

(4) THE EXISTENCE OF PAINT CONTAINING LEAD
PIGMENT ON SURFACES WITHIN THE DWELLING UNIT; OR

(5)    THE EXISTENCE OF ANY STRUCTURAL DEFECT
WHICH PRESENTS A SERIOUS AND SUBSTANTIAL THREAT TO THE
PHYSICAL SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS; OR

(6)    THE EXISTENCE OF ANY CONDITION WHICH
PRESENTS A HEALTH OR FIRE HAZARD TO THE DWELLING UNIT.

(F) THIS SECTION DOES NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY FOR THE
LANDLORD'S FAILURE TO REPAIR AND ELIMINATE MINOR DEFECTS
OR, IN THOSE LOCATIONS GOVERNED BY SUCH CODES, HOUSING
CODE VIOLATIONS OF A NONDANGEROUS NATURE. THERE IS A
REBUTTAL PRESUMPTION THAT THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS, WHEN
THEY DO NOT PRESENT A SERIOUS AND SUBSTANTIAL THREAT TO
THE LIFE, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS, ARE NOT
COVERED BY THIS SECTION:

(1)    ANY DEFECT WHICH MERELY REDUCES THE
AESTHETIC VALUE OF THE LEASED PREMISES, SUCH AS THE LACK
OF FRESH PAINT, RUGS, CARPETS, PANELING OR OTHER
DECORATIVE AMENITIES; OR

(2)    SMALL CRACKS IN THE WALLS, FLOORS OR
CEILINGS; OR

(3)    THE ABSENCE OF LINOLEUM OR TILE UPON THE
FLOORS, PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE OTHERWISE SAFE AND
STRUCTURALLY SOUND; OR

(4)    THE ABSENCE OF AIR CONDITIONING.