Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law: Complete 2026 Guide

Tenby is an AI-powered property management platform for independent landlords managing 1-50 rental units. Tenby's compliance engine includes Maryland-specific rules — deposit escrow with interest, lead paint registration, 45-day return deadlines, and county-specific rent stabilization — all tracked automatically.

Maryland landlord-tenant law is governed by the Maryland Code, Real Property Title 8. Some counties (Montgomery, Prince George's, Baltimore City) have additional local regulations that add complexity. Here's what you need to know.

Security deposits in Maryland

Key details:

• Within 45 days, you must return the deposit with a written itemized list of any deductions and receipts for repairs
• Interest accrues from the date of deposit and must be paid at least every 6 months (or applied to rent)
• Failure to comply can result in forfeiting the right to withhold any portion AND paying up to 3x the deposit in damages
• You must provide the tenant with a receipt when you receive the deposit

Eviction process in Maryland

Grounds and notice requirements

For nonpayment: Maryland allows landlords to file a Failure to Pay Rent (FTPR) action immediately after rent is late — no notice period required. However, the tenant can pay all rent and court costs up until the moment of trial to stop the eviction.

Timeline

Total timeline: 15-75 days for nonpayment cases. Breach of lease cases take longer.

Late fees in Maryland

Montgomery County has additional rules: landlords must accept partial rent payments and cannot charge late fees on the partial portion that was paid on time.

Lead paint requirements

Maryland has some of the strictest lead paint laws in the country:

• Registration required — all rental properties built before 1978 must be registered with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)
• Lead-free or lead-safe certification — property must meet one of these standards
• Renewal every 2 years — lead-safe certificates must be renewed
• Tenant notification — provide tenants with the lead paint disclosure, EPA pamphlet, and MDE registration number
• Penalties — failure to register or certify can result in fines of $1,000/day and personal liability for lead poisoning

This is not optional. Maryland landlords face significant liability for lead paint violations.

Required disclosures

1. Lead paint — registration number, certification status, EPA pamphlet
2. Move-in/move-out inspection — landlord should conduct and document
3. Habitability — known defects that affect habitability
4. Mold — if known
5. Owner/agent information — name and address for notices
6. Deposit receipt — written receipt for security deposit
7. Right to a move-in inspection — tenant can request one within 15 days

Maintenance obligations

Maryland landlords must:

• Maintain the property in a habitable condition
• Comply with all applicable building, housing, and health codes
• Make all repairs necessary to keep the premises in a safe and habitable condition
• Maintain all systems provided (heating, plumbing, electrical, AC)
• Provide working smoke detectors on every level
• Provide carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas (as of 2023)

Tenant remedies:

• Rent escrow — tenant can pay rent into an escrow account with the District Court if the landlord fails to make repairs (must give written notice first and allow reasonable time)
• Repair and deduct — for conditions that are a serious threat to health/safety

Rent increase rules

Rule	Maryland Law
Notice required	No specific state statute (30 days common practice)
Rent control	No statewide rent control
Local restrictions	Montgomery County has rent stabilization guidelines; some other counties have voluntary guidelines

Montgomery County: Voluntary rent guidelines typically recommend increases at or below the CPI. While not legally binding for most units, they carry weight in tenant disputes.

County-specific rules

Maryland law varies significantly by county. Key differences:

County	Notable Rules
Montgomery County	Rent stabilization guidelines, additional tenant protections, partial payment acceptance for late fees
Prince George's County	Landlord licensing requirements, inspection requirements
Baltimore City	Lead paint enforcement, rental licensing, tenant protection orders
Howard County	Fair housing additions
Anne Arundel County	Standard state rules apply

Always check your specific county's rules in addition to state law.

How Tenby helps Maryland landlords

• 45-day deposit return with interest calculation (3% simple or actual)
• Lead paint registration reminders — tracks 2-year renewal deadlines
• Deposit receipt generation — compliant written receipt at collection
• 5% late fee cap enforced
• County-specific rules — loads additional requirements for Montgomery, Prince George's, and Baltimore
• Move-in inspection workflow — photo documentation with tenant signature

The bottom line

Maryland is a moderately tenant-friendly state with some unusually strict requirements — particularly around lead paint and security deposit interest. The lead paint registration requirement alone trips up many landlords. Know your county's specific rules (especially Montgomery County and Baltimore City), maintain proper lead certifications, and always provide deposit receipts with interest. The penalties for non-compliance in Maryland are steep.