MD · Researched October 7, 2026
Maryland is one of the most regulated states for residential leasing. Deposits are capped at one month's rent, must sit in an interest-bearing Maryland escrow account, and come back with interest within 45 days; leases must include the Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights; rent increases need 90 days' notice; and entry needs 24 hours' written notice. New rules in 2026 add air-conditioning duties, Fair Chance screening limits and voucher-holder credit protections, and managing rentals for others requires a real estate license.
Providing real estate brokerage services includes, for pay, leasing real estate or collecting rent for another person, and helping others find or obtain residential rentals. Third-party property managers need a license.
Owners or lessors managing or leasing their own property (unless their primary business is brokerage), people acting under a court order, public officers, a single transaction under a power of attorney, licensed auctioneers, receivers, trustees, personal representatives and guardians.
Salespersons turn trust money over to their broker promptly. Brokers deposit trust money in a separate account used only for trust money and may not use it for any other purpose. Tenant security deposits must also follow the escrow rules in Real Property 8-203.
The limit is per unit regardless of the number of tenants. Up to two months is allowed only for tenants on state utility assistance who pay utilities to the landlord, with written agreement. Overcharging exposes you to up to three times the excess plus attorney fees. Move-in charges cannot exceed the deposit plus first month's rent.
Withhold only for unpaid rent, breach of lease damages, or damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. If you miss the 45-day itemized list you forfeit the right to withhold for damages. Wrongful withholding can cost up to three times the amount plus attorney fees. If the tenant gives 15 days' certified mail notice of moving, they have the right to attend the move-out inspection.
The account must hold only security deposits. Pay simple interest at the greater of 1.5 percent or the 1-year Treasury rate, accruing monthly, on deposits of $50 or more held at least 6 months. The deposit receipt must be in the lease and list the tenant's rights; failing to give a receipt costs $25. Keep receipts 2 years.
Since October 1, 2025, the cap is measured against the unpaid rent, not the full amount due. For weekly rent, the limit is $3 a week and $12 a month.
This applies to landlords offering 5 or more units at one location. The application must explain the rules. If you accept reusable screening reports and an applicant provides one, you cannot charge an application fee. Since October 1, 2026, landlords with 5 or more units may not ask about criminal history before a conditional offer except for limited categories.
Send by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, or electronically if the tenant chose that. Weekly tenancies need 7 days with a written lease or 21 days without. Local laws can require more.
Montgomery County and Takoma Park have rent stabilization laws. Check county and city rules before setting a renewal rent.
Use the Maryland Judiciary's form. Deliver by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, by posting on the door, or electronically if the tenant elected it. The complaint must state the date the notice was given.
The lease must allow repossession for breach. After the notice, file in District Court. The court evicts only if the breach was substantial and warrants eviction.
Week-to-week needs 7 days with a written lease or 21 days without; year-to-year needs 90 days. Local laws such as those in Baltimore City and Montgomery County may add rules.
Tenants may appeal within 4 days. For unpaid rent, tenants can redeem by paying all amounts owed before the eviction is carried out, unless they had 3 rent judgments in the prior 12 months. Order the warrant within 60 days of judgment or it is stricken. Since October 1, 2025, you must give the tenant written notice of the scheduled eviction date at least 6 days ahead by mail, door posting with a dated photo, and email or text if known. Evictions are stayed in extreme weather.
A lease may not let you take the tenant's property unless the lease has ended and the property was abandoned. The required eviction notice warns that belongings left behind may be lost and that local rules vary. Follow county or city rules for property left after an eviction.
The notice must give the date, approximate time and purpose, and be mailed, posted on the door, or sent electronically if the tenant elected that. Emergencies are exempt. The tenant may agree in writing to shorter notice. Violations can lead to an injunction and damages.
Tenants may seek rent abatement, damages or lease termination, and may use rent escrow. Mold: do an assessment within 15 days of written notice and remediate within 45 days. Starting June 1, 2026, buildings with 10 or more units must provide air conditioning (new construction, and units where AC was provided or required since January 1, 2025) and keep units at 80 degrees or below from June 1 to September 30; renovated units follow from October 1, 2026.
Every lease must include the current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights, the deposit receipt, and the parties' duties for heat, utilities and repairs. Give the state mold pamphlet at signing. Post your pet policy on the property website and application. Landlords with 6 or more units must offer positive rent reporting starting October 1, 2026 (by January 1, 2027 for existing leases). Older rental housing covered by Maryland's lead risk reduction law must be registered and inspected (Environment Title 6, Subtitle 8).
Since October 1, 2026, landlords who use credit or income screening may not reject voucher holders based on income, credit score, or credit history from periods without a subsidy, subject to limited exceptions.
Deposit cap cut to one month's rent, the Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights required in leases, and a new Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs. Owners of rentals with 1 to 3 units must offer tenants a chance to buy before listing the property, plus a right of first refusal on some third-party offers.
Created an express warranty of habitability and new remedies, including rent abatement and group tenant actions.
Courts must shield records of failure-to-pay-rent cases that did not end in a judgment for possession and may shield others on the tenant's motion. From August 1, 2024, landlords also may not raise rent solely because of a failure-to-pay-rent judgment.
Landlords must give the state mold pamphlet at lease signing, assess mold within 15 days of written notice, and remediate within 45 days after the assessment (or a reasonable time if 45 days is not feasible).
Entry requires 24 hours' written notice with date, time and purpose, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, except emergencies.
Landlords must notify tenants of the scheduled eviction date at least 6 days ahead, by first-class mail and a door posting with a date-stamped photo, plus email or text if known. Tenants get 10 days after the eviction to reclaim belongings.
The 5 percent late fee cap is now calculated on the unpaid rent, not the full rent due.
Landlords must link to the property's pet policy on the property website, if any, and include a copy or summary of it in the rental application. The policy must list breed and weight limits, fees and deposits, pet limits, and other requirements.
In apartment buildings with 10 or more units, landlords must provide air conditioning that keeps units at or below 80 degrees from June 1 to September 30. It covers new units and units with AC provided or required since January 1, 2025, and from October 1, 2026, units with major electrical or heating renovations.
Landlords with 5 or more units may not ask about criminal history before a conditional offer, except for listed serious offenses such as murder, sex offenses, and sex offender registration. After the offer, they may withdraw it only for a felony within 5 years or an undisclosed listed offense, with a written reason.
Landlords using financial screening may not reject subsidy holders based on income, credit score, or credit history from unsubsidized periods. Landlords with 6 or more units must offer positive rent reporting.
Walk through how these rules fit your renewal, collections and maintenance process with Julian. 20 minutes.
With Julian Calvo, who works with property management companies at LeadSimple.
Compare with other states: security deposit limit, deposit return deadline, deposit interest and holding rules, late fees, application and screening fees, rent increase notice, rent control, notice for unpaid rent, notice for lease violations, ending a month-to-month, eviction timeline, abandoned property, landlord entry, repairs and habitability, required disclosures, state fair housing protections.