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    Maryland Residential Lease Agreement

    Maryland caps most security deposits at 1 month's rent (1 exception applies), and requires its return within 45 days after the lease ends.

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    Maryland lease rules at a glance

    Key Maryland rules for a residential lease, with the statute behind each
    RuleWhat the law says
    Security deposit cap1 month's rent (with exceptions)Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b), 2024 Md. Laws ch. 124 (HB 693), Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024
    Deposit return deadline45 days after the lease endsMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(1)
    Late fees5% of the unpaid rent due for the rental period; weekly leases: $3 per week, max $12 per month · grace period: no state grace periodMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3), Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208 (no grace period)
    Landlord entry notice24 hours' noticeMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221, 2025 Md. Laws ch. 564 (HB 1076), enacted as § 8-220 and codified as § 8-221
    Ending a month-to-month leaseLandlord 60 days · tenant 30 daysMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402(c)
    Rent increase notice90 days (Written notice by first-class mail with certificate of mailing (or electronic delivery if the tenant elected it): 90 days for tenancies with a term over 1 month (e.g., a 1-year lease); 60 days for terms over 1 week up to 1 month (month-to-month); 7 days for weekly tenancies with a written lease, 21 days without one)Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209, 2023 Md. Laws ch. 146 (HB 151)
    Rent controlSet by local law onlyMontgomery County Executive, Letter to Owners re Rent Stabilization 2026 Annual Rent Increase Allowance (Feb. 27, 2026)
    Eviction notice for unpaid rent10 days (Notice of intent to file a claim for failure to pay rent (Maryland Judiciary form))Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401(c)

    Maryland lease disclosures checklist

    Every Maryland residential lease must include a habitability statement, each party's duties for heat, gas, electricity, water and repairs, a security-deposit receipt and a copy of the current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights; the landlord's (or agent's) name, address and phone must be in the lease or posted, and pet policies must be given with rental applications (Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-208(c), 8-210). (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208, Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-210, 40 CFR 745.107)

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    Before you sign in Maryland

    Deposit cap exceptions in Maryland
    One month's rent per dwelling unit Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b), 2024 Md. Laws ch. 124 (HB 693), Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024
    • Tenant qualified for DHS utility assistance, lease requires utility payments to landlord, and both agree in writing: up to 2 months' rent
    • In effect since .
    • Before : Up to two months' rent per dwelling unit.
    If a deposit is withheld wrongly
    A landlord who unreasonably fails to return the deposit within 45 days may owe up to three times the amount withheld plus attorney's fees, and loses the right to withhold for damages if no itemized list is sent (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(4), (g)(2)). (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)(3), (e)(4), (g)(2))
    Deductions from the deposit
    If any of the deposit is withheld, the landlord must mail a written list of damages with an itemized statement of costs and supporting documentation within 45 days after the tenancy ends (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(g), (j)). (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(g), (j))
    Interest on the deposit
    Landlords must pay simple interest on deposits of $50 or more held at least six months, at the greater of the one-year Treasury yield curve rate or 1.5% a year (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(1)-(3)). (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e))
    Rent control and increases
    Maryland has no statewide rent cap, but Montgomery County limits yearly increases on most rentals built in or before 2003 to CPI-U plus 3% (never more than 6%; 5.2% from July 1, 2026), and other localities may have their own rules (Montgomery County Rent Stabilization letter, Feb. 27, 2026). (Montgomery County Executive, Letter to Owners re Rent Stabilization 2026 Annual Rent Increase Allowance (Feb. 27, 2026))

    No statewide rent control. Montgomery County's Rent Stabilization Program caps annual increases on County-licensed rental units built in or before 2003 (unless exempt) at CPI-U plus 3% or 6%, whichever is lower: 5.2% from July 1, 2026, with 90 days' written notice of any rent or fee increase. Other localities (e.g., Takoma Park, Prince George's County) have their own rules.

    If rent goes unpaid
    Before filing a failure-to-pay-rent case, give the tenant written notice on the Maryland Judiciary's form of intent to file unless the tenant pays within 10 days, by first-class mail with certificate of mailing, posting on the door, or (if the tenant elected) electronic delivery (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401(c)). (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401(c))

    Maryland lease FAQs

    How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Maryland?

    Landlords may not charge a security deposit of more than one month's rent per unit, except up to two months for a tenant receiving state utility assistance who pays utilities to the landlord by written agreement (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)).

    How long does a Maryland landlord have to return a security deposit?

    Landlords must return the deposit with interest, less damages rightfully withheld, within 45 days after the tenancy ends (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(1)).

    Is there a limit on late fees in Maryland?

    A lease may not impose a late fee greater than 5% of the unpaid rent for that period, or for weekly rentals more than $3 a week and $12 a month (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3)). Maryland state law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged, though Montgomery County requires rent to be more than 10 days late (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208) (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208 (no grace period)).

    How much notice must a Maryland landlord give before entering a rental?

    Since Oct. 1, 2025, Maryland landlords must give written notice at least 24 hours before entering, stating the date, approximate time and purpose, and may enter only 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday unless the tenant agrees otherwise or there is an emergency (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221).

    How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Maryland?

    A Maryland landlord must give 60 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, while a tenant's notice of at least 30 days is enough (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402(c)(2)(i), (c)(3)).

    What disclosures does a Maryland lease need?

    Every Maryland residential lease must include a habitability statement, each party's duties for heat, gas, electricity, water and repairs, a security-deposit receipt and a copy of the current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights; the landlord's (or agent's) name, address and phone must be in the lease or posted, and pet policies must be given with rental applications (Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-208(c), 8-210) (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208). The list covers Lead-based paint disclosure, lead warning statement and EPA pamphlet, Statement that the premises will be habitable with reasonable safety (or the agreed condition), Landlord's and tenant's specific obligations for heat, gas, electricity, water and repairs, Security deposit receipt as specified in § 8-203.1, Copy of the most current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights (DHCD Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs), Name, address and telephone number of the landlord or the person authorized to accept notice and service of process, Pet policy (breed/weight limits, fees and deposits, number of pets, vaccination and insurance requirements) and Condominium or development rules, declaration and recorded covenants affecting use and occupancy.

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