Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What documents should be included with my ground rent redemption application?
Q: I received a bill for ground rent. Should I pay it?
A: The legal requirement to pay ground rent depends on whether the ground rent is listed on SDAT’s Ground Rent Registry. While you may voluntarily pay any ground rent bill, only ground rents listed on SDAT’s Ground Rent Registry are legally collectible by the ground lease owner.
Also, if the ground rent was originally irredeemable, you may not be legally required to pay it if the ground lease owner did not take certain steps to preserve its irredeemability.
Q: I received a bill from someone who is not listed on SDAT’s Ground Rent Registry. Should I pay it?
A: While you may voluntarily pay any ground rent bill, you are only legally required to pay the person to whom ground rent is sent as set forth on SDAT’s Ground Rent Registry.
Q: Do I pay ground rent directly to SDAT?
A: No, ground rent is a private transaction payable between you and the ground lease owner, so you should pay the person to whom ground rent is sent as set forth on SDAT’s Ground Rent Registry. The only time you may be required to make a ground rent payment to SDAT is when you are redeeming the ground rent through SDAT’s Ground Rent Redemption Program.
Q: Can I redeem my ground rent through SDAT if I know who my ground rent owner is?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I redeem my ground rent through SDAT if the ground rent is listed on the Ground Rent Registry?
A: Yes.
Q: My ground rent owner has died. Can I redeem my ground rent through SDAT?
A: Yes.
Q: I have never received a ground rent bill. Can I redeem my ground rent through SDAT?
A: Yes.
Q: How do I estimate the payoff amount for my ground rent redemption?
A: See the formula at the bottom of the
redemption application.
Q: Can I receive a duplicate copy of a Certificate of Ground Rent Redemption?
A: Yes, for $20. Contact us via
[email protected] to request one.
Q: I have redeemed the ground rent privately. How do I notify SDAT?
A: Fill out this
form.
Q: I think the Ground Rent Registry is incorrect. What should I do?
A: Contact an attorney. SDAT will need a court order to modify the registry if there is a dispute.
Q: Can SDAT determine if a property is subject to ground rent?
A: No.
Q: Can SDAT determine if the information provided by a ground rent registrant is complete, current, and/or accurate?
A: No.
Q: Do I owe ground rent?
A: Whether you legally owe ground rent or not depends on whether it islisted on SDAT’s Ground Rent Registry. While you may voluntarily pay any ground rent bill, only ground rents listed on SDAT’s Ground Rent Registry are legally collectible by the ground lease owner.
Also, if the ground rent was originally irredeemable, you may not be legally required to pay it if the ground lease owner did not take certain steps to preserve its irredeemability.
Financial Assistance with Redeeming A Ground Lease
A program has been established by the Maryland General Assembly to provide loans to eligible homeowners to redeem ground leases. For more information contact the Department of Housing & Community Development
Ground Rent Redemption Loans
View a listing of properties on which redemption applications have been made. The redemption reports are updated weekly. These forms are not accessible versions. Refer to the statement below for more information.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II final rule, individuals are entitled to request an accessible version of any electronic document presented on this website. Please contact
[email protected] with the name of the document, the desired file type, and the accommodation needed. The requested file will be provided within 5-7 business days. It is possible that some requests may take longer due to the size, complexity, or the graphical nature of the respective document. For additional information, please contact
[email protected] with any questions or concerns about this process.
Collection and Notice for Payment of Ground Rent
The owner of a ground lease may not collect a payment of a ground rent unless the ground lease is duly registered with SDAT and the statutory “Notice Required by Maryland Law Regarding Your Ground Rent” has been mailed to the residential property owner at least sixty (60) days before a payment is due.
The State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) neither collects ground rent payment nor manages ground rent leases.
SDAT is unable to provide assistance with title searches.
All registered ground rents are managed solely by the owner/agent. The State Department of Assessments and Taxation has placed on its website a link from its real property system to the Ground Rent Registry in order to provide the statutory on-line database that allows users to determine if a ground lease is registered and if so, get specific information regarding the registered lease.
