--- title: "Plumbing Glossary: 40 Home Plumbing Terms Defined" description: "Plain-English definitions of 40 property management and Maryland landlord terms, from security deposits to Fair Market Rent, each with its source." url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary publisher: Real Property Management Gold phone: +1-301-392-2172 assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment --- # Plumbing glossary 40 property management and Maryland landlord terms in plain English. Every rule links to its source. Search the glossary No terms match. Try a shorter word. ## A [Assistance animal](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/assistance-animal) An assistance animal is an animal that helps a person with a disability and is handled under fair housing rules instead of normal pet rules. ## B [BAH](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/bah) BAH is Basic Allowance for Housing, a monthly military payment that helps service members cover housing costs when government quarters are not provided. ## C [Cap rate](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/cap-rate) Cap rate is a property's yearly net operating income divided by its value, used to compare investment properties on equal terms. [Cash flow](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/cash-flow) Cash flow is the money left from rent after you pay all the costs of owning and running the rental, including the loan payment. ## D [Days on market](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/days-on-market) Days on market is the number of days a rental listing is advertised before a lease is signed, and it shows how fast a home rents. ## F [Failure to pay rent](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/failure-to-pay-rent) Failure to pay rent is the Maryland District Court case a landlord files to recover a home when a tenant has not paid rent that is due. People often call it rent court. [Fair Chance Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-chance-housing-act) The Fair Chance Housing Act is a Maryland law, effective October 1, 2026, that limits when and how a landlord may ask about and use an applicant's criminal history. [Fair Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-housing-act) The Fair Housing Act is the federal law that bars housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability. ## H [Holdover tenant](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/holdover-tenant) A holdover tenant is a tenant who keeps living in the rental home after the lease term ends, without signing a new lease or other agreement. [Housing Choice Voucher](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/housing-choice-voucher) A Housing Choice Voucher, often called Section 8, is a federal rental subsidy that helps a low-income household pay rent to a private landlord. ## L [Landlord insurance](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/landlord-insurance) Landlord insurance is a policy that covers the building and the owner's liability for a rental home. It differs from a tenant's renters insurance. [Late fee](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/late-fee) A late fee is a charge for rent paid after the due date. Maryland limits it to 5% of the unpaid rent for the rental period. [Lead paint registration](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/lead-paint-registration) Lead paint registration is a yearly state registration required for Maryland rental homes built before 1978, with lead inspection certificates at each tenant turnover. [Lease renewal](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/lease-renewal) A lease renewal is an agreement to extend a tenancy for a new term, often with a new rent amount. [Leasing fee](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/leasing-fee) A leasing fee is a one-time charge for finding and screening a tenant and preparing the lease. Some managers call it a tenant placement fee. ## M [Maintenance reserve](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/maintenance-reserve) A maintenance reserve is money a manager holds from the owner so small repairs can be paid quickly without waiting for approval. [Make-ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/make-ready) Make-ready is the cleaning, painting and repair work done between one tenant and the next to get a home rent-ready for the new lease. [Management fee](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/management-fee) A management fee is the monthly charge a property manager takes, usually a percentage of the rent collected, for running a rental home day to day. [Market rent](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/market-rent) Market rent is the rent a home can likely earn today, judged by comparing similar nearby rentals in size, condition and features. [Military clause](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/military-clause) A military clause is a lease term that lets a service member end the lease early when they receive orders to move or deploy. [Move-in inspection](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/move-in-inspection) A move-in inspection is a written record of a home's condition at move-in, used later to judge damage versus normal wear. ## N [Net operating income](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/net-operating-income) Net operating income is rental income minus operating costs such as repairs, insurance, taxes and management, counted before any mortgage payments. [Normal wear and tear](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/normal-wear-and-tear) Normal wear and tear is the gradual aging of a home from ordinary use, such as faded paint or worn carpet, which a landlord cannot charge a tenant for from the deposit. [Notice of intent to file](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/notice-of-intent-to-file) A notice of intent to file is the written warning a Maryland landlord must give before filing a rent-court case. It gives the tenant 10 days to fix the problem. ## O [Owner draw](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/owner-draw) An owner draw is the payment a property manager sends to the owner from collected rent after fees and expenses. [Owner portal](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/owner-portal) An owner portal is a secure website where an owner views statements, leases and maintenance activity for a rental at any time. ## P [PCS](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/pcs) PCS stands for permanent change of station, which is a service member's official military move to a new duty location, usually on written orders. [Pet deposit](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/pet-deposit) A pet deposit is money collected for possible pet damage. In Maryland it counts toward the security deposit cap of one month's rent. ## R [Reasonable accommodation](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/reasonable-accommodation) A reasonable accommodation is a change to a rule or policy that lets a person with a disability use and enjoy a home on an equal basis with others. [Rent increase notice](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-increase-notice) A rent increase notice is the written notice a landlord must send before raising rent. Maryland sets it at 90 days for most tenancies longer than one month. [Rent-ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-ready) Rent-ready describes a home that is clean, repaired, in working order and fully ready for a new tenant to move in on day one. [Rental license](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rental-license) A rental license is a local permit that some Maryland counties and towns require before an owner can rent out a home. [Reusable tenant screening report](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/reusable-tenant-screening-report) A reusable tenant screening report is a report an applicant buys once and shares with several landlords. Maryland landlords must say whether they accept one. [Right of first refusal](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/right-of-first-refusal) Right of first refusal is a Maryland rule that gives tenants in homes with three or fewer units the first chance to buy when the owner plans to sell to someone else. ## S [Security deposit](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/security-deposit) A security deposit is money a tenant pays up front to protect the landlord against unpaid rent or damage, capped at one month's rent in most Maryland leases. [Security deposit interest](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/security-deposit-interest) Security deposit interest is simple interest a Maryland landlord owes on deposits of $50 or more held at least six months, at the greater of the 1-year Treasury rate or 1.5% a year. [Servicemembers Civil Relief Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/servicemembers-civil-relief-act) The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is a federal law that lets service members end a residential lease early after qualifying military orders. ## T [Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights) The Tenants' Bill of Rights is a state-published summary of renter rights that Maryland landlords must include with every written residential lease. ## V [Vacancy rate](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/vacancy-rate) Vacancy rate is the share of time a rental sits empty with no paying tenant, which lowers income for the owner and raises carrying costs. ## W [Warrant of restitution](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/warrant-of-restitution) A warrant of restitution is a court order that lets a sheriff or constable carry out an eviction after a landlord has won a case. ## Ask what your home could rent for. Free. A free rental assessment from our offices in Lexington Park and Waldorf. No cost, no contract, no pressure. [Request a free assessment](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment)[(301) 392-2172](tel:+13013922172)