Maryland landlord tenant law: the rules a landlord meets

Maryland security deposit law

Most you can take

1 month’s rentMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)Up to 2 months if the tenant qualifies for state utility assistance, pays utilities to the landlord under the lease, and both agree in writing.

Back to the tenant within

45 daysMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e), (g)Returned with interest (at least 1.5% a year) on deposits of $50 or more held 6 months or longer.

Rent and late fees

Late fee

5% of the monthly rentMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3)5% of the unpaid rent for that period. Weekly rent: $3 a week, $12 a month at most.

Maryland rent increase laws and rent control

Notice before a rent increase

No statutory period confirmedCould not be confirmedNo state statute sets a rent-increase notice period or cap. Montgomery County caps increases at CPI plus 3%, at most 6% (5.2% for July 2026 to June 2027), with 90 days' written notice, and some other localities regulate rent.

Rent control

Local rent control allowedCould not be confirmed

Entering the property: notice to the tenant

Notice before you enter

24 hoursMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221

Ending a tenancy and eviction notices

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

60 daysMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402(c)(2)

Unpaid rent

10 daysMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401(c), (h)“10-day notice of intent to file”Paying in full within the period stops itThe landlord must give written notice that a claim will be filed if the tenant does not cure within 10 days. After filing the tenant may still redeem by paying all past-due amounts and costs before the eviction is carried out, unless three rent judgments were entered against them in the prior 12 months.

Another breach of the lease

30 daysMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402.1(a), (b)“30-day notice of breach”The statute does not say whether the breach can be fixed14 days when the breach shows a clear and imminent danger of serious harm. The court may evict only if the breach was substantial and warrants eviction, and the statute gives no cure period.

Lockouts and shutoffs

Banned: lockouts and utility shutoffsMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-216

The Maryland eviction process, step by step

Disclosures a Maryland lease has to carry

• Attach the current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights published by DHCD to the lease. (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(c)(4))
• Include a deposit receipt in the lease that explains the tenant's inspection rights and the 45-day return rules. (Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-203(c), 8-203.1)
• State in the lease the condition the unit will be delivered in and each party's duties for heat, gas, electricity, water and repairs. (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(c)(1)-(2))
• Give each tenant the state mold pamphlet when the lease is signed and ask the tenant to sign an acknowledgment. (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-220(b))