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 the country’s affordable housing crisis, but BRU actually interviews tenants, collects data and helps explain court proceedings to renters who, more often than not, lack knowledge of their legal rights prior to appearing 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. It all comes down to its mission of “building tenant power” and demanding safe, healthy housing as a basic human right, she explained.

A tenant is summoned to rent court after a landlord files a written notice that gives the tenant 10 days to pay rent due or to correct alleged violations of a signed lease.

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 process is often extremely quick, Dowridge said, and if a tenant is not prepared before the hearing, they may not be able to adequately represent their case or know all their legal options.

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.

Forging Connections

A star was marked next to Bright’s name on the BRU contact sheet to follow up on her case and make sure she finds the resources she needs.

“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.”

Formerly homeless, Angel Cook said she was introduced to BRU after a financially predatory landlord took advantage of her.

BRU helped organize meetings with fellow tenants, Cook said, opening up a way for them to discuss landlord issues without fear of retribution.

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 neighborhoods,” Dowridge said. “It just goes to show why this [work] is much needed.”