How much notice is required to raise rent in Maryland?
No statutory notice
- No statewide requirement
- Some local rules apply
- Lease terms control
Legal basis: MD Code RP § 8
Know your rights as a renter in Maryland. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Maryland law.
Legal basis: Maryland landlord-tenant law — Maryland Code
45
Days to Return Deposit
1 month's rent (reduced from 2 months by HB 693, eff. 2024-10-01)
Max Deposit
Reasonable
Entry Notice
Required
Deposit Escrow
What Maryland law says about deposits
Maximum Deposit
1 month's rent (reduced from 2 months by HB 693, eff. 2024-10-01)
Return Deadline
45 days
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Maryland law
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Landlord may owe up to three times the deposit amount plus attorney fees.
Interest on your deposit is required
Landlord must pay simple interest at the greater of the daily U.S. Treasury yield curve rate for 1 year (as of the first business day of each year) or 1.5% per year, on security deposits of $50 or more held for at least 6 months (MD Real Property § 8-203(e)(1)). Interest accrues at monthly intervals from the day the tenant gives the landlord the security deposit and is not compounded.
Grace period
GRACE PERIOD: No statewide statutory grace period under RP 8-208 - Maryland law does not require any number of days to pass before a late fee may be charged. A lease may specify a grace period, and some counties impose one by local ordinance (Montgomery Co: 10 days, Prince George's Co: 5 days) - note these where applicable, but the ABSENCE of a grace period is NOT a violation. Do NOT flag a late fee as a violation merely because no grace period was given.
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
Reasonable notice
In Maryland, your landlord must provide proper notice before entering your rental unit, except in genuine emergencies. This protects your right to privacy and peaceful enjoyment of your home.
Exceptions: Landlords may enter without notice in cases of emergency (fire, flooding, etc.) or if you've abandoned the property.
No statutory notice
Legal basis: MD Code RP § 8
30 days
Legal basis: MD Code RP § 8-211
6 months protected
Legal basis: MD Code RP § 8-208.1
Early termination
Legal basis: MD Code RP § 8-5A-02
Self-help illegal
Legal basis: MD Code RP § 8-216
Important facts about Maryland rental law
Maryland limits security deposits to 1 month's rent (reduced from 2 months in October 2024).
Maryland landlords must return deposits within 45 days of move-out.
Maryland landlords must deposit security deposits in an escrow account.
Maryland tenants can deduct repair costs from rent under certain conditions.
Common questions about Maryland tenant rights
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.
In Maryland, landlords must provide Reasonable notice notice before entering your rental unit.
Late fees in Maryland: 5% of the unpaid rent due for the delinquent rental period (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3), as amended by HB 273 (2025), eff. Oct 1, 2025). GRACE PERIOD: No statewide statutory grace period under RP 8-208 - Maryland law does not require any number of days to pass before a late fee may be charged. A lease may specify a grace period, and some counties impose one by local ordinance (Montgomery Co: 10 days, Prince George's Co: 5 days) - note these where applicable, but the ABSENCE of a grace period is NOT a violation. Do NOT flag a late fee as a violation merely because no grace period was given..
No statutory notice. No statewide requirement. Some local rules apply. Lease terms control. Source: MD Code RP § 8.
30 days. Landlord must maintain habitability. 30 days to repair. Rent escrow available. Source: MD Code RP § 8-211.
6 months protected. Retaliation prohibited. 6 month protection. Cannot evict for complaints. Source: MD Code RP § 8-208.1.
Early termination. Can terminate early. Documentation required. No penalty. 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.
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.
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