Tenants' Bill of Rights

The Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights is a plain-language summary of renter rights, published by the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs in the state Department of Housing and Community Development. Maryland's lease law says a lease shall include a copy of the most current version.

The summary covers topics such as rental applications, security deposits and prohibited acts by landlords. One listed protection is that landlords may not discriminate based on source of income, which matters for tenants who pay with a voucher. See Housing Choice Voucher.

For owners, the practical step is simple: attach the current version every time you sign or renew a lease, and keep a signed acknowledgment. The state updates the document, so an old copy in your file may be out of date. Other required lease items, such as the security deposit receipt, belong in the same packet. Our Maryland landlord-tenant law guide lists the main duties.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney.