Landlord laws
Maryland landlord-tenant law
Maryland Code, Real Property Title 8 (Subtitles 2 and 4) and State Government § 20-705 (official text, mgaleg.maryland.gov)
Last verified Oct 2026
General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the statute and consult a licensed attorney in your state before acting.
| Topic | Rule (plain English) | Statute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security deposit cap | Up to 1 month's rent per unit, no matter how many tenants. Up to 2 months' rent is allowed only for a tenant in a DHS utility-assistance program who pays utilities to the landlord, and only if agreed in writing. Overcharging can cost three times the excess plus attorney's fees. | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b) | Verified |
| Deposit return deadline | Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, return the deposit plus interest, minus proper deductions. If you withhold anything, mail an itemized list of damages and costs by first-class mail within 45 days, or you forfeit the right to withhold. Withholding without a reasonable basis can cost up to three times the amount withheld plus attorney's fees. | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e), (g) | Verified |
| Deposit holding and interest | Within 30 days, deposit it in an interest-bearing account used only for deposits, at a Maryland branch of a federally insured institution (or in insured CDs or government securities). Interest is simple, at the greater of the 1-year Treasury yield-curve rate (as of the first business day of the year) or 1.5% a year. It is owed on deposits of $50 or more held at least 6 months. | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(d)–(e) | Verified |
| Late fee cap and grace period | A lease can't set a late penalty above 5% of the overdue rent for that period. For weekly rent, the cap is $3 a week, or $12 a month in total. The statute sets no grace period. | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3) | Verified |
| Landlord entry notice | Not specified in state statute. No statewide statute sets a notice period for landlord entry. We checked Real Property Title 8, Subtitles 2 and 4. Set entry terms in the lease and check county or city codes. Note: Entry rules come from the lease, local codes and case law, not state statute. | Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-201 to 8-220 | Not in statute |
| Rent increase notice | Give written notice before any rent increase, by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing (or electronically if the tenant chooses). Terms longer than 1 month: 90 days. More than 1 week up to 1 month: 60 days. Weekly: 7 days with a written lease, 21 without. Local laws may require more. | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209 | Verified |
| Rent control status | Not specified in state statute. No statewide rent control, and no state statute bans local rent limits. We checked Real Property Title 8. State law says local laws may give tenants more protection (§ 8-209(c)), so check your county or city. Note: Local rent-stabilization authority rests on county/municipal law, not this Title. | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209(c) | Not in statute |
| Eviction notice: nonpayment | Before filing, give a written 10-day notice of intent to file, using the Maryland Judiciary form. Send it by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, post it on the door, or send it electronically if the tenant chose that. For lead-affected properties, the complaint must show lead registration and inspection compliance. | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401(b)–(c) | Verified |
| Eviction notice: lease violation | If the lease allows repossession for a breach, give 30 days' written notice of the violation. For behavior showing a clear and imminent danger of serious harm, give 14 days. The court must find the breach substantial and that it warrants eviction. | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402.1 | Verified |
| Required disclosures | Landlords offering 5 or more units must use a written lease (§ 8-208(a)). The lease must include the habitability statement, each side's utility and repair duties, the deposit receipt with the § 8-203.1 notices, and the current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights (§ 8-208(c)). Application rules apply (§ 8-213). For pre-1978 housing, give the federal lead-paint disclosure (40 CFR 745.113). | Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-208, 8-203.1, 8-213; 40 CFR 745.113 | Verified |
| Fair housing beyond federal law | Maryland adds marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income and military status. | Md. Code, State Gov't § 20-705 | Verified |
Last verified Oct 2026 · Sources are official state legislature sites. Federal rules also apply.
Tools for Maryland landlords
Late fee calculator
Model grace periods and fees.
Open →Prorated rent calculator
Mid-month move-ins.
Open →Rent increase calculator
New rent and annual impact.
Open →General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the statute and consult a licensed attorney in your state before acting.