Tenant Rights in Maryland: Renting a New Property (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Maryland · Last updated 2026-05-18
If you are renting a new place in Maryland, the rules that protect you are Maryland rules. The two most-asked questions on every Maryland tenant page are deposit timing (45 days) and entry timing (at least 24 hours). This guide answers those and the rest of the Maryland-specific protections in order.
Key Considerations
Signing a lease in Maryland starts with the security-deposit math. The statutory ceiling is the first number to confirm: the equivalent of 1 month's rent After the tenancy ends, the landlord owes the refund or itemized accounting on a defined clock. 45 days
Habitability, rent-control coverage, and the eviction-notice rule are the three big backstops in Maryland. On habitability: A landlord that offers a residential dwelling unit for rent, whether by written or oral lease agreement, shall be deemed to warrant that the dwelling unit is fit for human habitation. On rent-control or statewide-cap coverage: no statewide law On the pre-suit eviction notice for non-payment: 10 days
During the tenancy, two state-law overlays govern privacy and paperwork. The landlord cannot walk in unannounced: at least 24 hours The lease packet must also include the disclosures the state and federal lead-paint rules require: A lease shall include: (1) A statement that the premises will be made available in a condition permitting habitation, with reasonable safety, if that is the agreement, or if that is not the agreement, a statement of the agreement concerning the condition of the premises; (2) The landlord's and the tenant's specific obligations as to heat, gas, electricity, water, and repair of the premises; and (3) A receipt for the security deposit as specified in § 8-203.1 of this subtitle.
Relevant Laws
Maryland Security Deposit Law
Maryland law limits security deposits to a maximum of two months' rent. Landlords must provide a receipt for the security deposit and must place it in an escrow account. Within 45 days after the end of tenancy, the landlord must return the deposit with interest, less any damages rightfully withheld.
Maryland Rent Payment Grace Period
Maryland does not have a state-mandated grace period for rent payments, but many lease agreements include a 5-day grace period. After this period, landlords can charge late fees, which must be specified in the lease agreement.
Maryland Landlord Entry Laws
Maryland requires landlords to give reasonable notice (typically 24 hours) before entering a rental property, except in emergencies. This protects tenants' right to privacy while allowing landlords to conduct necessary inspections or repairs.
Maryland Lease Termination Requirements
For month-to-month tenancies in Maryland, tenants must provide at least one month's notice to terminate the lease. For fixed-term leases, early termination may result in penalties unless specified exceptions apply, such as military deployment or domestic violence situations.
Maryland Rent Increase Laws
In most of Maryland, there are no state-level restrictions on how much landlords can increase rent, but they must provide at least one month's notice for month-to-month tenancies. Some counties and cities (like Montgomery County and Baltimore City) have additional rent control or stabilization laws.
Maryland Warranty of Habitability
Maryland law requires landlords to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition, including functioning plumbing, electricity, heat, and structural elements. Tenants have the right to request repairs, and in some cases, may withhold rent or terminate the lease if serious issues are not addressed.
Maryland Fair Housing Law
Maryland's Fair Housing Law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This applies to all aspects of the rental process, including applications, terms, and conditions.
Regional Variances
Baltimore City
Baltimore City has its own housing code with additional protections for tenants. Landlords must obtain a rental license and pass annual inspections. The city also has a 'just cause' eviction law for month-to-month tenancies, requiring landlords to have a valid reason to terminate a tenancy. Additionally, Baltimore has a Rent Court that specifically handles landlord-tenant disputes.
Montgomery County
Montgomery County requires landlords to use a standard lease form and provide tenants with specific information about their rights. The county has rent stabilization laws in certain areas, limiting annual rent increases. It also has a Commission on Landlord-Tenant Affairs that mediates disputes and can award damages. Tenants have additional protections during the winter months against utility shutoffs.
Prince George's County
Prince George's County has a Landlord-Tenant Commission that handles disputes. The county requires landlords to obtain rental licenses and pass inspections. It also has specific regulations regarding security deposits, requiring interest payments and itemized lists for any deductions. The county provides additional protections against retaliatory evictions.
Howard County
Howard County has a Rental Housing License requirement for all rental properties. The county has a tenant-landlord commission that mediates disputes. It also has specific regulations regarding lead paint disclosures and remediation that may be more stringent than state requirements.
Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County requires rental licenses for properties with more than four units. The county has specific regulations regarding carbon monoxide detectors in rental units. It also has a Fair Housing Office that handles discrimination complaints in housing.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Confirm the required disclosures are inside the lease packet, not just referenced in it
Before signing days after startingA lease shall include: (1) A statement that the premises will be made available in a condition permitting habitation, with reasonable safety, if that is the agreement, or if that is not the agreement, a statement of the agreement concerning the condition of the premises; (2) The landlord's and the tenant's specific obligations as to heat, gas, electricity, water, and repair of the premises; and (3) A receipt for the security deposit as specified in § 8-203.1 of this subtitle.
Pay only the deposit the law allows
Before signing days after startingthe equivalent of 1 month's rent
Document the move-in condition of the unit on day one
At move-in days after startingPhoto and date-stamp every room, fixture, and visible defect; share the record with the landlord in writing.
Send the landlord a dated written habitability complaint and store a copy with photos
Before signing days after startingA landlord that offers a residential dwelling unit for rent, whether by written or oral lease agreement, shall be deemed to warrant that the dwelling unit is fit for human habitation.
Confirm whether the property sits under a rent cap, local rent control, or open-market rules
Ongoing days after startingno statewide law
Check whether the lease's late fee complies with the statutory ceiling, if any
Before signing days after starting5%
Know the entry-notice rule and enforce it
As needed during tenancy days after startingat least 24 hours
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm the required disclosures are inside the lease packet, not just referenced in it | A lease shall include: (1) A statement that the premises will be made available in a condition permitting habitation, with reasonable safety, if that is the agreement, or if that is not the agreement, a statement of the agreement concerning the condition of the premises; (2) The landlord's and the tenant's specific obligations as to heat, gas, electricity, water, and repair of the premises; and (3) A receipt for the security deposit as specified in § 8-203.1 of this subtitle. | - | Before signing |
| Pay only the deposit the law allows | the equivalent of 1 month's rent | - | Before signing |
| Document the move-in condition of the unit on day one | Photo and date-stamp every room, fixture, and visible defect; share the record with the landlord in writing. | - | At move-in |
| Send the landlord a dated written habitability complaint and store a copy with photos | A landlord that offers a residential dwelling unit for rent, whether by written or oral lease agreement, shall be deemed to warrant that the dwelling unit is fit for human habitation. | - | Before signing |
| Confirm whether the property sits under a rent cap, local rent control, or open-market rules | no statewide law | - | Ongoing |
| Check whether the lease's late fee complies with the statutory ceiling, if any | 5% | - | Before signing |
| Know the entry-notice rule and enforce it | at least 24 hours | - | As needed during tenancy |
Frequently Asked Questions
45 days.
at least 24 hours.
no statewide law. Source: state code.
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