Maryland Tenant Rights
& Rental Laws

In Maryland, the security deposit limit is 1 month's rent (reduced from 2 months by HB 693, eff. 2024-10-01).

Maryland landlords must return security deposits within 45 days after you move out (different timing if the tenant was evicted or abandoned the unit).

In Maryland, landlords must give 24 hours' notice before entering your rental unit (written; 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday to Saturday; less if you agree in writing (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221)).

Late fees in Maryland: 5% of the unpaid rent due for the delinquent rental period; weekly rent: $3 per week and $12 per month. Maryland law does not require a grace period. A lease or county ordinance may give one..

60-90 days notice. 90 days' written notice before an increase for a lease longer than one month (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209). 60 days for a month-to-month tenancy; 7 days for weekly (21 with no written lease) (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209). No statewide cap; local laws can add notice or limit increases, as Montgomery and Prince George's counties do (§ 8-209(c)). Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209.

Reasonable time; over 30 days presumed too long. Covers serious hazards such as no heat, light, electricity, or hot or cold water, sewage problems, rodents in two or more units, structural dangers, and fire or health hazards (Real Prop. § 8-211(d)). Cosmetic problems and lack of air conditioning are presumed not covered (Real Prop. § 8-211(e)). Give notice by certified mail listing the problems, by actual notice, or through a government violation notice (Real Prop. § 8-211(f)). The landlord gets a reasonable time based on severity; more than 30 days is presumed unreasonable (Real Prop. § 8-211(g)). If not fixed, you can file for rent escrow or raise the defects as a defense when sued for rent, but you must pay the rent into court (Real Prop. § 8-211(h), (k)). The court can reduce rent, order repairs, or end the lease, and may award attorney's fees (Real Prop. § 8-211(m), (o)). Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211.

6 months protected. Retaliation prohibited. 6 month protection. Cannot evict for complaints. Source: MD Code RP § 8-208.1.

Up to 30 days' rent. A victim of abuse (including assault, sexual offenses and stalking) may end the lease with written notice by first-class mail or hand delivery. Include a final protective or peace order, or a qualified third party's report signed within the past 60 days (RP § 8-5A-03). You owe rent only until you move out, up to 30 days after notice; if you leave sooner, send a notarized notice that you have vacated. An abuser who is also on the lease stays liable. Source: MD Code RP § 8-5A-02.

Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Strong protections. Source: MD Code RP § 8-216.

Most criminal-record questions must wait until after a conditional offer. Applies to landlords who own or manage five or more rental units in Maryland; it does not cover owner-occupied units. Before offering you the unit, the landlord may ask only about a short list: first- or second-degree murder, human trafficking, sexual offenses, child pornography, sex-offender registration, and, for federally assisted housing, making or selling methamphetamine on the premises. After a conditional offer, the landlord may run a criminal background check and consider felony convictions from the 5 years before you applied, plus any listed conviction you did not disclose. You can show the record is wrong, or give evidence of rehabilitation or other mitigating factors, and the landlord must consider it. An offer can be withdrawn only for a substantial, legitimate and nondiscriminatory reason, with a written notice giving the specific reason and your right to ask for a reassessment. Within 30 days of a withdrawal you can ask for everything the landlord relied on, and the landlord must send it within 10 days. A landlord may not require a drug or alcohol test, and, unless federal law requires it, may not advertise that people with arrests or convictions need not apply. A landlord who breaks these rules faces a civil penalty of up to $500 per violation. Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-2A-01 to 8-2A-12 (Fair Chance Housing Act, effective October 1, 2026).

Maryland tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Maryland law.