Copinol Restaurant v. 26 N. Market

Summary

The Court held that Maryland's tenant holding over statute applies only when a tenant remains in possession after a lease expires by lapse of time, not when a landlord terminates an unexpired lease for nonpayment of rent. The Court further held that parties cannot contractually redefine statutory "expiration" or otherwise use the tenant holding over procedure when the statute's elements are not satisfied. The Court therefore reversed the circuit court's judgment and remanded for entry of judgment in favor of the tenant.