Title 16. Statutory Liens on Personal Property — Subtitle 5. Hotel's Lien
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Com. Law § 16-501 (2026)
Title 16. Statutory Liens on Personal Property
Subtitle 5. Hotel's Lien
§ 16–501LinkCopy Citation
In this subtitle, “hotel” includes any ordinary, inn, boarding house, hotel, or motel.
Md. Code Ann., Com. Law § 16-502 (2026)
Title 16. Statutory Liens on Personal Property
Subtitle 5. Hotel's Lien
§ 16–502LinkCopy Citation
(a)
A hotel keeper has a lien on the baggage or other property in the hotel which belong to or are under the control of a guest for any charge due or to become due to the hotel keeper for:
(1)
The price or value of food or accommodation;
(2)
The amount of any loan or advance; or
(3)
The amount provided by cashing a check, draft, or otherwise.
(b)
The hotel keeper may retain possession of the property to which the lien attaches until all charges due or to become due to him are paid.
(c)
If the charges which give rise to the lien are unpaid 15 days after they become due, the hotel keeper may sell the property to which the lien attaches at public sale.
(d)
The hotel keeper shall publish notice of the time, place, and terms of the sale at least twice in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the county where the hotel is located. The first publication of notice shall be at least 10 days before the sale.
(e)
(1)
The proceeds of the sale shall be applied, in the following order, to:
(i)
The expenses of the sale; and
(ii)
The amount of the lien claim.
(2)
After application of the proceeds in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, any remaining balance shall be paid to the owner of the property.
Md. Code Ann., Com. Law § 16-503 (2026)
Title 16. Statutory Liens on Personal Property
Subtitle 5. Hotel's Lien
§ 16–503LinkCopy Citation
(a)
Any person who takes boarders or lodgers into his house has a lien on the furniture or other property which the boarder or lodger has on the person’s premises for the contract price due or to become due for the room or board furnished.
(b)
The person may retain possession of the property to which the lien attaches until all charges due or to become due to him are paid.
(c)
If the charges which give rise to the lien are unpaid after they become due, the person may sell the property to which the lien attaches at public or private sale.
(d)
The person shall give at least 10 days reasonable notice of the sale to the boarder or lodger.
(e)
(1)
The proceeds of the sale shall be applied, in the following order, to:
(i)
The expenses of the sale; and
(ii)
The amount of the lien claim.
(2)
After application of the proceeds in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection, any remaining balance shall be paid to the boarder or lodger.