asserted defects or conditions as an affirmative defense to an action for distress for
rent or to any complaint proceeding brought by the landlord to recover rent or the
possession of the leased premises.

(1) It is a sufficient defense to the allegations of the tenant that the tenant,
[his] THE TENANT'S family, [his] agent, [his] employees, or [his] assignees or social
guests have caused the asserted defects or conditions, or that the landlord or [his]
THE LANDLORD'S agents were denied reasonable and appropriate entry for the
purpose of correcting or repairing the asserted conditions or defects.

(n) After rent escrow has been established, the court:

(2) May, after an appropriate hearing, order that some or all moneys in
the escrow account be paid to the landlord or [his] THE LANDLORD'S agent, the
tenant or [his] THE TENANTS agent, or any other appropriate person or agency for
the purpose of making the necessary repairs of the dangerous conditions or defects;

8-211.1.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law or any agreement, whether written
or oral, if a lessor LANDLORD fails to comply with the applicable risk reduction
standard under § 6-815 or § 6-819 of the Environment Article, the lessee TENANT
may deposit [his] THE LESSEE'S TENANT'S rent in an escrow account with the clerk of
the District Court for the district in which the premises are located.

(b) The right of a §lessee TENANT to deposit rent in an escrow account does not
preclude [him] THE LESSEE TENANT from pursuing any other right or remedy
available to [him] THE LESSEE TENANT at law or equity and is in addition to them.

8-303.

(a) An action of distress shall be brought by the landlord as plaintiff, [his]
THE LANDLORD'S petition shall name the tenant as defendant and contain the
following information:

(1) The name and address of the landlord[,];

(2) The name and address of the tenant[,]; and

(3) The facts relating to (i) any assignment of a lease, if known, (ii) the
premises leased, (iii) the date of the lease, (iv) the term of the lease, (v) the rent
required to be paid by the lease, and (vi) the amount of the rent in arrears.

(b) The petition shall be under oath or affirmation of the plaintiff, or [his]
THE PLAINTIFF'S agent, that the facts recited are true and correct.

(c) If a defendant is not a resident of, or amenable to service in a county where
the leased premises are located, service may be made by certified mail, return receipt
requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service. If this service is
returned by the Post Office Department or refused by the addressee or [his] THE
ADDRESSEE'S agent, then process shall be sent by first-class mail and the defendant
returned as summoned.