Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in Maryland

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in Maryland, mainly from the Maryland Code, Real Property Article, title 8. Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

1 month's rent1Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-203(b)

A landlord may charge no more than one month's rent as a deposit. Up to two months is allowed only for a tenant who qualifies for state utility assistance and pays utilities to the landlord, if both agree in writing.

Deposit return deadline

45 days1Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-203(e), (g)

The landlord must return the deposit within 45 days after the tenancy ends, with a mailed, itemized list of any damages deducted.

Interest on deposits

Required for deposits of $50 or more1Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-203(e)

Deposits held at least six months earn simple interest at the one-year U.S. Treasury rate or 1.5% a year, whichever is greater.

Late fees

Max 5% of rent due2Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-208(d)(3)

A lease may not set a late fee above 5% of the rent due for that period. For weekly rent, the cap is $3 a week or $12 a month.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days3Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-402(c)(3)

A tenant must give at least 30 days' notice before the tenancy ends. Outside Baltimore City the notice can be oral.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

60 days3Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-402(c)

A landlord must give written notice 60 days before a month-to-month tenancy ends. Different rules apply in Baltimore City, Montgomery County and some other cases.

Notice of a rent increase

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Statewide rent limits

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Landlord entry

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice for unpaid rent

10 days4Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-401(c)

Before filing for unpaid rent, the landlord must give written notice on a court form that a case will be filed if the rent is not paid within 10 days.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-203, Maryland General Assemblyofficial
  2. Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-208, Maryland General Assemblyofficial
  3. Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-402, Maryland General Assemblyofficial
  4. Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-401, Maryland General Assemblyofficial

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.