---
title: "What Is Tenants' Bill of Rights? Landlord and Renter Glossary"
description: "The Tenants' Bill of Rights is a state-published summary of renter rights that Maryland landlords must include with every written residential lease."
url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights
publisher: Real Property Management Gold
phone: +1-301-392-2172
assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment
---

Maryland Law

# 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.

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](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/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 The state updates the document, so an old copy in your file may be out of date.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](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/security-deposit) receipt, belong in the same packet. Our [Maryland landlord-tenant law](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/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.

[Read nextMaryland Landlord-Tenant Law: The Rules Every Rental Owner Should Know](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/maryland-landlord-tenant-law)

## Related terms

-   [Security deposit](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/security-deposit)
-   [Fair Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-housing-act)
-   [Housing Choice Voucher](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/housing-choice-voucher)

## Sources

1.  [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-208, Lease requirements](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-208&enactments=false)
2.  [Maryland DHCD: Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/media/490)

## 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)