- Maryland consumer law seeks to protect the rights of those purchasing goods and services in the state. The laws are enforced by the Consumer Protection Division, a department of the Maryland Attorney General's Office. Their website give consumers information on such topics as merchant return policies, lemon laws, evictions and health club memberships.
- Maryland law requires that merchants inform customers of their return policies by posting them on wall in their store, printing them on the receipt or putting them on the merchandise. However the law does not mandate that merchants accept returns and a merchant may refuse returns if that is his posted policy. If no policy is posted then the merchant must accept a return. A merchant must repair, replace or give a refund for a defective item regardless of any stated policy.
- Maryland lemon law applies to vehicles that are less than 224 months old and has less than 18,000 miles on the odometer. A dealer or manufacturer has 30 days after the consumer writes to the manufacturer by certified mail to fix a defect. If the manufacturer or dealer is unable to repair the vehicle, the consumer is entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle if the car has: a brake or steering failure that causes the vehicle to fail the Maryland safety inspection, a problem that impairs the use and fair market value of the vehicle and was not repaired in four attempts, a problem that impairs the use and value of the vehicle and that has caused it to be out service for 30 days.
- A landlord may not evict a tenant simply by telling him to vacate a dwelling or sending a notice of eviction. A landlord must acquire a court order to lawfully evict any tenant according to the Consumer Protection Division. A landlord who removes a tenant's belongings from or changes the locks on a dwelling without obtaining a court is criminally liable under Maryland law.
- Maryland consumer law requires businesses selling health services, such as health cubs, weight loss centers and martial arts schools, register with the state. If the business asks that customers pay more than three months dues in advance or charge an initial fee of over $200 then it must post a bond. If the club or center goes out a business, a member may make a claim on the bond for services that were not received. Maryland gives consumers three days after signing a health services contract to cancel the agreement.
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