Maryland Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026)

Maryland landlord-tenant rules at a glance

Security deposits in Maryland

The deposit rule in Maryland is: 1 month's rent (reduced from 2 months effective October 2024). After the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit within 45 days, typically with an itemized statement for any amounts withheld. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and other charges the statute or lease allows, routine repainting and carpet aging from ordinary use generally cannot be charged to the tenant. Both parties should document the unit's condition at move-in and move-out; disputes usually turn on that evidence.

Landlord entry and tenant privacy

Maryland's entry rule is: No statewide statute, reasonable notice expected; some counties set specific rules. Entry is generally limited to legitimate purposes such as repairs, inspections, and showings, and emergencies allow immediate entry everywhere. Where the statute is silent or vague, courts fall back on the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment, so landlords should give written notice and enter at reasonable hours regardless of the statutory minimum.

Rent increases and rent control

Rent control status in Maryland: Local allowed, Takoma Park and Montgomery County have rent stabilization programs. Even without rent control, a landlord cannot raise rent mid-lease unless the lease allows it, and periodic tenancies require proper advance notice of an increase, commonly the same notice period used to terminate (60 days in Maryland). Retaliatory increases after a tenant exercises a legal right are prohibited in most states.

Eviction process overview

For unpaid rent, Maryland requires: 10-day written notice of intent to file before a nonpayment case. If the tenant does not pay or leave, the landlord files an eviction case (the name varies: unlawful detainer, summary process, forcible entry and detainer), serves the tenant, and attends a hearing. Only a court judgment followed by a sheriff or constable can remove a tenant, lockouts and utility shutoffs are illegal in every state. Timelines vary from a few weeks to several months depending on court backlog and whether the tenant contests the case.

Late fees

Maryland's late fee rule: Capped at 5% of the monthly rent. Even where no statutory cap exists, courts can strike down fees that operate as penalties rather than reasonable estimates of the landlord's actual cost, and the fee must appear in the written lease to be enforceable.

Ending a lease or month-to-month tenancy

To end a month-to-month tenancy in Maryland, the required notice is: 60 days. Fixed-term leases end on their own schedule unless renewed, though some states and cities require just cause or additional notice even at lease end. Notice should always be written, dated, and delivered by a method the statute recognizes.

Is Maryland landlord-friendly or tenant-friendly?

Maryland is generally considered tenant-friendly. Maryland cut its deposit cap to one month in 2024, caps late fees at 5%, requires a 10-day pre-filing notice for nonpayment, and allows county-level rent stabilization.

Official source

The governing law is the Maryland Real Property Code, Title 8 (Landlord and Tenant). Read the current text at the state's official legislative site: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/Statutes.

Maryland landlord-tenant law FAQs

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Maryland?

Security deposits in Maryland are governed by the Maryland Real Property Code, Title 8 (Landlord and Tenant). The deposit rule is: 1 month's rent (reduced from 2 months effective October 2024). After the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit (minus properly documented deductions) within 45 days. Landlords who miss the deadline or take undocumented deductions can owe the tenant damages, so both sides should document the unit's condition at move-in and move-out and keep an itemized statement of any charges. Deposit rules are amended fairly often, so verify the current statute before relying on a specific number.

How much notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Maryland?

For nonpayment of rent, Maryland requires: 10-day written notice of intent to file before a nonpayment case. That notice is only the first step, a landlord cannot legally remove a tenant without then filing an eviction case and winning a court judgment, and self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities) are prohibited. Local courts and city ordinances can add procedural steps, so check the Maryland Real Property Code, Title 8 (Landlord and Tenant) and local rules before starting an eviction.

Can a landlord enter a rental property without permission in Maryland?

Maryland's entry rule is: No statewide statute, reasonable notice expected; some counties set specific rules. Genuine emergencies (fire, flooding, gas leaks) are a standard exception in every state, and lease clauses can add detail but generally cannot strip a tenant's right to quiet enjoyment. For ending a month-to-month tenancy, Maryland requires 60 days of notice. When in doubt, put entry requests and termination notices in writing and confirm the current rule in the Maryland Real Property Code, Title 8 (Landlord and Tenant).

Compare nearby states

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