--- title: "Landlord Center: Maryland Rental Guides and Law" description: "Guides for Southern Maryland landlords on Maryland law, tenant screening, deposits, evictions, collections, taxes, insurance and getting a home rent ready." url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center publisher: Real Property Management Gold phone: +1-301-392-2172 assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment --- # Landlord Learning Center for Southern Maryland The Landlord Learning Center is Real Property Management Gold's library for Southern Maryland landlords. It covers Maryland landlord-tenant law, tenant screening, money topics such as deposits, collections, taxes and insurance, and maintenance topics such as getting a home rent ready and wear and tear. Landlord CenterUpdated October 29, 2026 - **Law.** Maryland rules on leases, deposits, rent increases, licenses and lead paint. - **Screening.** How to screen applicants and handle pets. - **Money.** Deposits, collections, evictions, taxes, insurance and the cost of self-managing. - **Maintenance.** Rent ready standards, wear and tear, landscaping and property evaluations. ## What is in the Landlord Center? The Landlord Learning Center is a library of guides for Southern Maryland landlords. Pick the section that matches your question. Each guide links to official sources where the topic involves law. ## Where do I start with Maryland law? Start with the [Maryland landlord-tenant law](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/maryland-landlord-tenant-law) overview. Then read the topic you need: - [Security deposit guidelines and laws](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/security-deposit-guidelines-laws) - [Maryland rent increase rules](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/maryland-rent-increase-rules) - [Maryland lead paint compliance](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/dme-lead-paint-compliance) - [Southern Maryland rental license rules](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-rental-license) - [Housing vouchers for Maryland landlords](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/housing-vouchers-maryland-landlords) Related terms: [security deposit](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/security-deposit), [rent increase notice](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-increase-notice) and [lead paint registration](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/lead-paint-registration). ## How do I screen tenants? Read the [tenant screening](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/tenant-screening) guide for the steps and rules. For animals, see [pet screening](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/pet-screening). ## What do the money guides cover? These guides cover what you collect, what you owe and what it costs: - [Southern Maryland collections](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-collections) - [Southern Maryland evictions](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-evictions) - [The cost of self-managing](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/cost-of-self-managing) - [Rental property taxes](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/rental-property-taxes) - [Rental property insurance](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/rental-property-insurance) - [Selling a tenant-occupied rental](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/selling-a-tenant-occupied-rental) ## What do the maintenance guides cover? These guides cover the condition of the home: - [What “rent ready” means](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/what-is-rent-ready) - [Wear and tear versus tenant damage](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/wear-tear-tenant-damage) - [Landscaping responsibilities](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/landscaping-responsibilities) - [Rental property evaluations](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/rental-property-evaluations) Terms to know: [rent ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-ready) and [normal wear and tear](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/normal-wear-and-tear). ## Is there a free guide? Yes. Download the [free guide to rental property](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/free-guide-to-rental-property). ## Who is the Landlord Center for? Owners of rental homes in St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert counties, and Southern Prince George’s County. It is also useful if you are deciding whether to rent out a home. Read [rent out your home](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/rent-out-your-home) for that decision. ## How current are the legal guides? Maryland updates landlord-tenant law often. The Department of Housing and Community Development republishes the Tenants’ Bill of Rights every year, with changes that start October 1. Each legal guide shows a reviewed date and links to the official text. Check the date and the source before you act. This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney. ## Next step Want help with your own rental? Request a free assessment on the [contact page](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us) or call (301) 392-2172. You can also read about [property management services](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/property-management-services) and [fees](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/property-management-fees). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the Landlord Learning Center? It is a library of guides from Real Property Management Gold for landlords in Southern Maryland. The guides cover Maryland law, screening, money and maintenance. Start with the topic that matches your question, then call (301) 392-2172 for help with your own property. ## Terms on this page - [Lead paint registration](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/lead-paint-registration) - [Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights) - [Normal wear and tear](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/normal-wear-and-tear) - [Rent increase notice](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-increase-notice) - [Security deposit](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/security-deposit) - [Rental license](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rental-license) - [Rent-ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-ready) ## Keep reading - [What Does Rent Ready Mean? A Maintenance and Turnover Checklist for Maryland OwnersA rent ready home is safe, clean, working and ready for a tenant to move in. Check every system, confirm locks, windows and stairs are safe, and make the home show well. In Maryland, a rental built before 1978 must also be registered with the state for lead.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/what-is-rent-ready) - [What Self-Managing a Maryland Rental Really Costs in Time, Risk and MoneySelf-managing saves the management fee but costs time and legal care. A Maryland landlord must follow rules on deposits, late fees, rent increase notices, lead registration and eviction notices. Real Property Management Gold charges 8.9% to 12.9% of monthly rent, plus a 6.9% tenant placement fee when it finds a new tenant.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/cost-of-self-managing) - [Pet Screening for Your Maryland Rental: Fees, Deposits and Assistance AnimalsWe screen every pet through PetScreening.com. Applicants complete a Pet Profile that is reviewed and scored. Pets are allowed case by case at $50 per approved pet each month, with no pet deposit. Assistance animals are treated differently under Fair Housing law, so each request gets an individual review.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/pet-screening) ## 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)