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Maryland landlords need to be familiar with state landlord-tenant laws to manage their rentals efficiently and legally. This guide is for self-managing landlords and offers a practical overview of Maryland landlord-tenant laws, covering everything from tenant screening to move-out.
This landlord resource is intended only for informational purposes and is not intended to offer legal advice. It covers current state laws. Landlords should always review applicable county and city laws to ensure legal compliance.
Maryland Rental Application and Tenant Screening Laws for Landlords
Maryland landlords may charge an application fee. There is no limit on the amount of the application fee for buildings with 4 or fewer units. In buildings with 4 or more units, if landlords charge an application fee of more than $25, the landlord must return any portion of the fee that isn’t used to cover the cost of the screening.
Reusable Tenant Screening Reports in Maryland
Maryland landlords must notify tenants as to whether or not they accept reusable tenant screening reports. Reusable tenant screening reports must have been created in the last 30 days. Landlords who accept reusable reports may not charge an application fee.
Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act
On October 1, 2026, Maryland’s Fair Chance Housing Act will go into effect. This law restricts how landlords review criminal background information. Under this new law, landlords may not ask about an applicant’s criminal history on the initial application and cannot run a criminal background check before making a decision based on financial and rental history data.
Once an offer is conditionally made, landlords may run a background check, but may only consider specific convictions within set “lock back” timeframes.
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What Must Be Included in a Maryland Residential Lease Agreement?
Maryland law requires a written lease agreement for tenancies of one year or longer or for landlords with 5 or more rental units. While leases for terms of less than one year may be oral, it’s never a good idea to rely on a handshake or oral agreement.
A Maryland lease should include basic terms like start date, lease term, and rent amount. It also must include:
- Landlord or agent contact information: The lease must include the landlord or the authorized agent’s name, address, and telephone number.
- Security deposit receipt: If the landlord collects a security deposit, the tenant must receive a written Maryland Security Deposit Receipt
- Lead-based paint disclosure: For rental units built before 1978, landlords must provide tenants with a Maryland lead-based paint disclosure and notice of tenant’s rights.
- Ratio utility billing disclosure: If the landlord uses a ratio utility billing system (RUBS), the landlord must provide the tenant with specific information about the billing system.
View the Maryland Ratio Utility Billing System Disclosure. - Pet policy: Maryland law requires landlords to include some information about the pet policy in the lease, including breed restrictions, weight restrictions, pet fees, pet deposits, and other pet requirements.
- Habitability statement: The lease must include a habitability statement, stating that the property will be in a condition that permits habitation and stating the tenant’s responsibility regarding utilities and repairs.
- Starting October 1, 2026: Landlords with 4 or more rental units must provide tenants with an itemized disclosure of fees.
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Maryland Security Deposit Laws: 2026 Update
How much can Maryland landlords charge for the security deposit in 2026?
The maximum amount a Maryland landlord may charge for the security deposit is one month’s rent.
There is a limited exception that allows landlords to charge up to two months’ rent for the security deposit. This exception only applies if the following conditions are all met:
- The tenant qualifies for utility assistance through the Maryland Department of Human Services.
- The lease requires the tenant to pay utilities directly to the landlord.
- The landlord and tenant agree to the higher security deposit amount in writing.
Do landlords have to pay interest on the security deposit in Maryland?
Landlord must pay interest at the 1-year U.S Treasury yield-curve rate or 1.5% annually, whichever is greater. Interest payments or only required when the deposit is greater than $50 and held for more than 6 months. The landlord must pay the accrued interest within 45 days of the end of the tenancy.
The State of Maryland offers a rental security deposit calculator to make it easy for landlords to calculate the amount of interest due.
How long do landlords have to return the security deposit?
Landlords must return the security deposit and/or an itemized statement of deductions within 45 days of the end of the tenancy.
Under Maryland law, if a landlord fails to return the deposit or itemized statement within 45 days, the tenant may recover up to 3 times of the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney’s fees.
What are legitimate reasons for withholding portions of the security deposit?
Maryland landlords may withhold portions of the security deposit for:
- Unpaid rent
- Damage beyond ordinary wear and tear
- Actual damages to the landlord due to the tenant’s breach of the lease
Landlords may not withhold the security deposit for normal wear and tear or ordinary maintenance.
Maryland Rent Payment Guide for Landlords: Late Fees, Rent Increases, Rent Control Laws, and Electronic Payments
Can Maryland Landlords Charge Late Fees?
Maryland landlords may charge late fees, but they may not exceed 5% of the unpaid rent for a specific rental period. Any late fee terms must be included in the lease agreement.
There is no statewide grace period for rent. So, rent may be considered late if it’s not paid on the due date. However, many lease agreements include a grace period of 5 days. Landlords must comply with the language of the lease agreement when assessing late fees.
How Much Notice Must Landlords Give for a Rent Increase?
For month-to-month leases or tenancies of more than one month, landlords usually have to give 90 days’ notice before increasing rent. Landlords generally cannot increase rent during a fixed-term lease and must give 90 days’ notice before increasing rent when a lease renews.
Is There a Statewide Rent Control Law in Maryland?
No, there is no statewide rent-control law or rent-stabilization law in Maryland. Under state law, Landlords may increase rent at the landlord’s discretion, as long as applicable notice requirements are met.
However, some cities and counties in Maryland have rent-stabilization regulations. In addition, special housing programs may have restrictions on rent increases. Landlords should check local laws before increasing rent.
Can Maryland Landlords Collect Rent Electronically?
Yes, Maryland landlords may collect rent electronically. There is no required rent-payment method; however, state law requires landlords to keep records of rent payments and provide receipts for cash payments.
Common rent payment methods include electronic payments through a rent payment portal, online credit card payments, or personal checks. While electronic payments are generally preferred by landlords and tenants, it’s a good practice to offer 2-3 accepted methods of payment.
The lease agreement should include specific language about how rent must be paid each month.
What Rights and Responsibilities Do Maryland Landlords Have?
Landlords must provide tenants with a safe and habitable rental unit, make necessary repairs in a reasonable amount of time, and respect the tenant’s right to privacy. Landlords must give at least 24 hours’ notice before entering for permitted reasons, such as maintenance, repairs, and showings. Landlords are not required to give notice before entering for an emergency.
Landlords have a right to collect a security deposit, but must comply with all Maryland security deposit laws.
In addition, Landlords must comply with all fair-housing laws and cannot retaliate against tenants for exercising their rights or making good-faith complaints.
Owners may collect rent, charge late fees, and enforce the terms of the lease agreement. If a tenant violates the lease or fails to pay rent, the landlord may evict a tenant by following all procedural steps. Property owners may never initiate a self-help eviction.
What Rights and Responsibilities Do Maryland Tenants Have?
Maryland tenants also have distinct rights and responsibilities. Tenants have a right to a safe and habitable home with heat, electricity, and running water. The unit should be free from infestations and structural hazards.
When repairs are needed, tenants must notify the landlord of the issue and give the landlord a reasonable amount of time to resolve the issue. If the landlord fails to make the necessary repairs, the tenant may bring an action of rent escrow with the local court. In this situation, the tenant pays rent to the court until the landlord makes the needed repairs.
Tenants must pay rent on time and comply with all enforceable lease terms. Tenants have a right to a legal eviction process and protection from illegal retaliation from the landlord.
Maryland Evictions: Notice Requirements & Procedures
To terminate a lease before the end of the term, the landlord must have cause and issue the proper notice. The amount of notice required varies based on the situation:
- Maryland 10-day notice to quit for non-payment: When a tenant is behind on rent, property managers must provide a 10-day notice to pay or quit. This gives the tenant 10 days to pay or vacate the property. Failure to comply can result in eviction proceedings against the tenant.
- Maryland 14-day notice to quit – imminent danger: Used when a tenant or someone on the property with the tenant’s consent presents an imminent threat to the safety of others. This notice gives the tenant 14 days to vacate the property or face eviction proceedings.
- Maryland 30-day notice to quit: For lease violations other than nonpayment of rent and an imminent safety threat, landlords can issue a 30-day notice to quit. Landlords may offer an option to cure, when applicable. The tenant has 30 days to comply with the notice or face eviction proceedings.
Landlords must always issue the proper notice and comply with all procedural requirements to end a tenancy or evict a tenant. Property owners should never take matters into their own hands or do things like change the locks, turn off utilities, or move a tenant’s possessions.
Maryland Landlord-Tenant Laws Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 Guide
Can a landlord charge an application fee in Maryland?
Yes, in most cases landlords may charge an application fee, and there’s no statewide restriction on the application fee. If a landlord has 4 or more units and charges more than $25 for the application fee, the landlord must return any portion of the fee that isn’t used on the screening.
Can a Maryland landlord run a credit check and criminal background check on an applicant?
Maryland landlords may run a credit check on applicants, but starting on October 1, 2026, landlords with 5 or more rental units may only run a background check after conditionally accepting an applicant. Only certain convictions with set lock-back periods may be considered. Landlords should get written authorization from an applicant before running either a credit check or background check.
Do Maryland leases have to be in writing?
Maryland leases for tenancies of one year or more must be in writing. That said, it’s a best practice to have all leases, including those for tenancies of less than one year, in writing.
Does Maryland have a statewide rent control law?
No, there is no statewide rent control or rent stabilization law in Maryland. However, some cities do have laws limiting the amount a landlord can increase rent. Landlords should check applicable laws and required notice periods before increasing rent.
How much notice must Maryland landlords give before entering a rental unit?
Landlords must give at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering the unit for a legitimate reason – for example, maintenance, repairs, or an inspection. Landlords do not have to give notice to enter for an emergency or life-threatening situation.
How much can a Maryland landlord charge for a security deposit?
Maryland landlords may charge a security deposit of up to one month’s rent. There is a limited exception for tenants who qualify for utility assistance and are required to pay utilities directly to the landlord. In this situation, the landlord may charge up to two months’ rent if the landlord and tenant agree to the increased security deposit in writing.
How long does a Maryland landlord have to return the security deposit?
Maryland landlords must return the security deposit, along with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 45 days of the end of tenancy. If the landlord fails to return the deposit within this period, the tenant may recover up to three times the amount due plus attorney’s fees.
How long do landlords have to make repairs in Maryland?
The amount of time a landlord has to make repairs varies based on the issue. Landlords must make repairs in a “reasonable” time frame. More than 30 days is considered unreasonable, but that does not mean landlords always have 30 days to make a repair. Landlords should evaluate the issue and work to resolve it within a reasonable time period.
What can a tenant do if a Maryland landlord refuses to make necessary repairs?
If a landlord fails to make repairs within a reasonable time period after receiving written notice, the tenant may either request a housing inspection or use the Maryland rent-escrow procedure. With rent-escrow, tenants ask the district court to set up a rent escrow account, and the tenant makes rent payments to the court until the repair is made.
How much notice must a MD landlord give a tenant before beginning the eviction process?
The amount of notice required depends on the reason for eviction. Landlords must give 10-days notice for unpaid rent, 14-days notice for an imminent threat, and 30-days notice for all other lease violations. Providing adequate notice is a required first step in the eviction process.
