Maryland
Maryland sets a solid statewide floor for deposits, fees, and habitability — recently strengthened by the 2024 Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act — but rent caps and just-cause protections exist only where a county or city has adopted them.
What this means
- Security deposits are capped at one month's rent for leases signed or renewed on or after October 1, 2024 (previously two months), and must be returned with interest, plus an itemized list of any deductions, within 45 days of move-out (Real Property § 8-203).
- If a landlord charges more than $25 in application fees, the excess must be refunded (minus actual credit-check costs) when you're not approved or don't take the unit (RP § 8-213).
- Late fees are capped at 5% of the delinquent rent (RP § 8-208).
- State law requires written notice before a rent increase at renewal, but does not cap how much rent can go up. Caps only exist in jurisdictions with local rent stabilization.
- Serious habitability problems have a formal remedy: rent escrow in District Court under RP §§ 8-211 and 8-212, using the court's own complaint form.
- Since October 1, 2025, Maryland has a statewide statutory notice requirement before landlord entry (RP § 8-221) — a genuinely new addition.
Things to pay extra attention to
Montgomery County caps annual increases at CPI plus 3%, up to 6%, and publishes the exact allowable percentage each year. Prince George's County has a permanent rent stabilization law, and Takoma Park has had rent stabilization for decades. Everywhere else in Maryland, there is no cap — so check your specific county and city before you assume anything.
Maryland has no statewide just-cause eviction requirement. State law authorizes counties (including Baltimore City) to adopt one, and Montgomery County has local eviction-notice protections under its Chapter 29. Confirm your own jurisdiction's rules rather than a statewide default.
A landlord must first serve a written notice of intent to file giving you 10 days to pay. And Maryland preserves "pay and stay": you can generally stop the eviction by paying the amount due plus court costs before the eviction actually happens. Both of those levers are time-sensitive.
Maryland requires owners of pre-1978 rental units to register with MDE and meet risk-reduction standards at each change of occupancy. If your unit is older, ask for the lead inspection certificate — it should exist.
Baltimore City, Montgomery County, Prince George's County, and Takoma Park each require their own rental license or registration. It's a fair thing to verify before you sign.
Trusted resources
Government and nonprofit starting points for Maryland renters. When your situation is specific, contact a local legal-aid organization directly.
- Statutes & HandbookMaryland Code, Real Property Title 8 (Landlord and Tenant) Primary statute — deposits, fees, escrow, retaliation, entry
- Attorney GeneralMaryland Attorney General — Landlords and Tenants
- Statutes & HandbookMaryland Courts — Landlord/Tenant Self-Help Includes the rent escrow complaint form (DC-CV-083)
- Statutes & HandbookMaryland DHCD — Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act (HB 693) Official summary of the 2024 changes for renters
- Legal AidMaryland People's Law Library — Rent Court & Eviction
- Legal AidMaryland Legal Aid
- Fair HousingMaryland Commission on Civil Rights
- Local ResourcesMontgomery County DHCA — Rent Stabilization Current allowable increase percentage
- Local ResourcesMDE — Lead Rental Registry for Owners
Related Playbook topics
In Maryland, your county matters as much as your state. The same rent increase can be perfectly legal in one county and over the cap ten minutes down the road. Before you respond to a renewal offer, look up your county's rent rules — and if you're in Montgomery County, Prince George's County, or Takoma Park, look up this year's published number.
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