2328                                             LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [Ch. 414

NOT RECEIVED MORE THAN FIVE SUMMONSES CONTAINING COPIES
OF COMPLAINTS FILED BY THE LANDLORD AGAINST THE TENANT
FOR RENT DUE AND UNPAID IN THE 12 MONTH PERIOD
IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE INITIATION OF THE ACTION BY THE
TENANT OR BY THE LANDLORD, OR, IF THE TENANT HAS LIVED ON
THE PREMISES SIX MONTHS OR LESS, HAVING NOT RECEIVED
THREE SUMMONSES WITH COPIES OF COMPLAINTS FOR RENT DUE
AND UNPAID.

(L) IT IS A SUFFICIENT DEFENSE TO THE ALLEGATIONS
OF THE TENANT THAT THE TENANT, HIS FAMILY, HIS AGENT, HIS
EMPLOYEES, OR HIS ASSIGNEES OR SOCIAL GUESTS HAVE CAUSED
THE ASSERTED DEFECTS OR CONDITIONS, OR THAT THE LANDLORD
OR HIS AGENTS MERE DENIED REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE
ENTRY FOR THE PURPOSE OF CORRECTING OR REPAIRING THE
ASSERTED CONDITIONS OR DEFECTS.

(M) THE COURT SHALL MAKE APPROPRIATE FINDINGS OF
FACT AND MAKE ANY ORDER THAT THE JUSTICE OF THE CASE MAY
REQUIRE, INCLUDING ANY ONE OR A COMBINATION OF THE
FOLLOWING:

(1)    ORDER THE TERMINATION OF THE LEASE AND
RETURN OF THE LEASED PREMISES TO THE LANDLORD, SUBJECT TO
THE TENANT'S RIGHT OF REDEMPTION;

(2)    ORDER THAT THE ACTION FOR RENT ESCROW BE
DISMISSED;

(3)    ORDER THAT THE AMOUNT OF RENT REQUIRED
BY THE LEASE, WHETHER PAID INTO COURT OR TO THE LANDLORD,
BE ABATED AND REDUCED IN AN AMOUNT DETERMINED BY THE
COURT TO BE FAIR AND EQUITABLE TO REPRESENT THE EXISTENCE
OF THE CONDITIONS OR DEFECTS FOUND BY THE COURT TO EXIST.

(N) AFTER RENT ESCROW HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, THE
COURT:

(1)    SHALL, AFTER A BEARING, IF SO ORDERED BY
THE COURT OR ONE IS REQUESTED BY THE LANDLORD, ORDER THAT
THE MONEYS IN THE ESCROW ACCOUNT BE DISBURSED TO THE
LANDLORD AFTER THE NECESSARY REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE; OR

(2)    MAY, AFTER AN APPROPRIATE HEARING, ORDER
THAT SOME OR ALL MONEYS IN THE ESCROW ACCOUNT BE PAID TO
THE LANDLORD OR HIS AGENT THE TENANT OR HIS AGENT, OR ANY
OTHER APPROPRIATE PERSON OR AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSE OF
MAKING THE NECESSARY REPAIRS OF THE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS
OR DEFECTS; OR

(3)    MAY, AFTER A HEARING IF ONE IS REQUESTED
BY THE LANDLORD, APPOINT A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATOR WHO
SHALL CAUSE THE REPAIRS TO BE MADE, AND WHO SHALL APPLY
TO THE COURT TO PAY FOR THEM OUT OF THE MONEYS IN THE