--- title: "Maryland Landlord Tenant Law: Rules for Owners (2026)" description: "Maryland landlord tenant law in plain English: deposit cap, rent increase notice, late fees, screening, and the laws that took effect October 1, 2026." url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/maryland-landlord-tenant-law publisher: Real Property Management Gold phone: +1-301-392-2172 assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment --- # Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law: The Rules Every Rental Owner Should Know Maryland landlord-tenant law sets a 1 month security deposit cap, 45 days to return a deposit, a 5 percent late fee cap, and 90 days' written notice of a rent increase. New laws took effect October 1, 2026 on criminal history screening, housing subsidies, and rent reporting. This hub links to each rule. Landlord CenterUpdated October 29, 202610 min read - **2024 reset.** The Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 (HB 693) cut most security deposits to 1 month's rent and put a Tenants' Bill of Rights in every lease. - **October 1, 2026.** Three new laws took effect: the Fair Chance Housing Act, protections for renters who use income-based subsidies, and an air-conditioning rule for some apartments. - **Four numbers to know.** 1 month deposit cap, 45 days to return it, 5 percent late fee cap, 90 days' notice before a rent increase. - **State plus local.** County and town rules add to state law. Prince George's County has rent limits and a rental license; Charles County has a license proposal. ## What changed in Maryland landlord law in 2024 and 2026? Two waves of change matter most. The Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 reset deposits, lease paperwork, and eviction steps. Three more laws took effect on October 1, 2026. The 2024 law is House Bill 693 (Chapter 124). The General Assembly’s bill page lists effective dates of October 1, 2024 and October 1, 2025. The bill created the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs inside the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). It also required a Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights in every residential lease and limited most security deposits to 1 month’s rent. The bill touched Real Property sections 8-119, 8-203, 8-208, and 8-401, among others. DHCD reports early results. Its October 1, 2026 release says the state has seen a 14 percent drop in eviction filing rates and a 16 percent drop in households evicted since the Act took effect. Those are DHCD’s figures, not ours. The table below covers the laws DHCD says took effect on October 1, 2026. Law Who it covers What it does Fair Chance Housing Act (SB 937, Chapter 752) Housing providers who own or manage five or more residential units in Maryland. Not owner-occupied rental units, and not providers who do no criminal background checks. Sets when a provider may ask about criminal history, which convictions may be considered, and how a denial works. Bans drug and alcohol testing of applicants. Penalties up to $500 per violation. Income-based housing subsidies (SB 335 / HB 315, Chapters 773 and 772) Housing providers renting to applicants who pay with an income-based housing subsidy Bars refusal based on the applicant’s income, credit score or lack of one, or credit trouble from before the subsidy. Providers may still verify income for the part of the rent the subsidy does not cover. Positive rent reporting (same law) Housing providers Providers must offer tenants the option to have on-time rent reported to credit bureaus. Any fee is capped at the lesser of actual cost or $10 per month. Air conditioning (SB 12, Chapter 664) Certain units in apartment buildings with 10 or more units Requires cooling to 80 degrees Fahrenheit or lower from June 1 to September 30. Most single-family rentals are outside this rule. DHCD also published the 2027 Tenants’ Bill of Rights on October 1, 2026. It says the new version reflects these laws. See our [Tenants’ Bill of Rights glossary entry](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights) for a short definition. ## What are the main Maryland landlord rules at a glance? Most day-to-day rules fit in one table. Each row links to the page that explains the rule in full. Topic Rule (as of October 2026) Statute or source Guide Security deposit amount Up to 1 month’s rent per unit. Up to 2 months only if three conditions are met. Real Prop. 8-203(b) [Security deposit guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/security-deposit-guidelines-laws) Deposit return Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, with simple interest, less damages rightfully withheld Real Prop. 8-203(e), (g) [Security deposit guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/security-deposit-guidelines-laws) Rent increase notice 90 days for tenancies longer than 1 month, in writing Real Prop. 8-209 [Rent increase guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/maryland-rent-increase-rules) Late fee No more than 5 percent of unpaid rent for the rental period Real Prop. 8-208(d)(3) [Collections guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-collections) Application fees Fees over $25 (other than a deposit) must be returned, except what was actually spent on the application. Does not apply to landlords with four or fewer units at one location. Real Prop. 8-213 [Tenant screening](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/tenant-screening) Reusable screening reports Landlord must say whether it accepts them Real Prop. 8-218 [Tenant screening](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/tenant-screening) Before filing for unpaid rent 10 days’ written notice of intent to file Real Prop. 8-401(c) [Evictions guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-evictions) Lease paperwork Security deposit receipt in the written lease; current Tenants’ Bill of Rights attached Real Prop. 8-203(c); DHCD This page Selling a rented home Written notice of the tenant’s right to make an offer, before listing, for properties with three or fewer units Real Prop. 8-119 [Selling a tenant-occupied rental](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/selling-a-tenant-occupied-rental) Other Landlord Center pages cover the rest of the owner’s checklist: [evaluating a rental](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/rental-property-evaluations), [lead paint compliance](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/dme-lead-paint-compliance), [rental licenses](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-rental-license), [housing vouchers](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/housing-vouchers-maryland-landlords), [wear and tear versus tenant damage](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/wear-tear-tenant-damage), [rental property insurance](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/rental-property-insurance), and [rental property taxes](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/rental-property-taxes). The [Landlord Center home](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center) lists every guide. ## How much can I charge for a security deposit? A Maryland landlord may charge up to the equivalent of 1 month’s rent per dwelling unit. This is the rule in Real Property 8-203(b)(1), and it applies no matter how many tenants sign the lease. There is one narrow exception. A landlord may take up to 2 months’ rent only if the tenant qualified for utility assistance through the Department of Human Services, the lease requires the tenant to pay utilities directly to the landlord, and both sides agree in writing to the amount. A landlord who charges too much can owe the tenant up to three times the extra amount plus attorney’s fees. The tenant has until 2 years after the tenancy ends to sue. The full rules on receipts, bank accounts, interest, the 45-day return, and itemized deductions are in our [security deposit guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/security-deposit-guidelines-laws). A short [security deposit definition](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/security-deposit) is in the glossary. Solomons Island. Photo: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0. ## How much notice do I need to raise rent? Give written notice at least 90 days ahead for any tenancy longer than 1 month. The tenancy length sets the notice period: 60 days for tenancies of more than 1 week up to 1 month, and 7 or 21 days for tenancies of 1 week or less. Notice goes by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing. A tenant may choose email, text, or a tenant portal instead, but the landlord must keep proof of transmission. A lease may not force a tenant to accept electronic notice. Counties and towns may add more notice or limit the amount of the increase. Read the [rent increase guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/maryland-rent-increase-rules) before you send a notice. ## What is the maximum late fee? A lease may not set a late penalty above 5 percent of the unpaid rent for the rental period. For weekly rent, the cap is $3 per week or $12 per month. Section 8-208(d)(3) lists this as a prohibited lease term. Our tenant fee disclosure, dated February 2, 2025, lists a late fee of 5 percent of unpaid rent, charged on the 6th after a 5-day grace period. See the [collections guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-collections) for how to handle late rent, and the [late fee definition](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/late-fee). ## What must be in my lease? A written lease must include a receipt for the security deposit. Real Property 8-203.1 lists what the receipt must say, including the tenant’s right to a move-in inspection and the 45-day return deadline. The lease must also come with the current Tenants’ Bill of Rights. DHCD says a landlord may not edit it, must use the latest version, and gets a new version each year by October 1. Real Property 8-208 bars certain lease terms outright. Examples include a late fee above 5 percent and a clause that forces a tenant to accept electronic delivery of a rent increase notice. Have a Maryland attorney review your lease form once a year. ## What are the steps if rent is not paid? Send a written notice of intent to file, wait 10 days, then file in District Court if the tenant has not paid. Section 8-401(c) requires the notice before a landlord may file a failure to pay rent complaint. The Maryland Judiciary creates the notice form. The notice counts as given when it is mailed first-class with a certificate of mailing, affixed to the door, or, if the tenant elects, sent by email, text, or tenant portal with proof of transmission. The complaint must state the date the notice was given, and a court may dismiss it if the tenant shows sufficient cause. The People’s Law Library adds that a landlord must hold a current rental license if the county or town requires one. Our [eviction guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-evictions) walks through the full process. Learn the terms in our glossary: [failure to pay rent](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/failure-to-pay-rent) and [notice of intent to file](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/notice-of-intent-to-file). ## Can I screen for criminal history? Yes, but the rules changed on October 1, 2026 for providers who own or manage five or more units. Under the Fair Chance Housing Act, a provider generally must make a conditional offer before checking criminal history. A provider may not advertise that it will not consider applicants with criminal histories. If a provider withdraws a conditional offer because of criminal history, it must give the reason and let the applicant ask for a reassessment. Penalties can reach $500 per violation. DHCD says the Act does not apply to owner-occupied units or to providers who run no criminal background checks. The law counts units a provider “manages,” so a management company may be covered even when each owner holds fewer than five units. Ask your attorney how it applies to you. Our [tenant screening guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/tenant-screening) covers screening step by step, and the glossary explains the [Fair Chance Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-chance-housing-act) and the [Fair Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-housing-act). Source of income is a protected class in Maryland. A housing voucher is a lawful source of income. See the [housing voucher guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/housing-vouchers-maryland-landlords) and the [housing choice voucher definition](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/housing-choice-voucher). ## What must I do before selling a rented house? Before you list a rented home, send each qualifying tenant a written notice of the tenant’s right to make an offer. This is the right of first refusal in Real Property 8-119. It covers tenant-occupied residential rental property with three or fewer dwelling units. The statute defines “tenant” as a named lessee who has lived there at least 6 months. The tenant has 30 days after the notice to deliver a written offer. The owner then has 5 days to accept an offer with the same or better material terms, or to send a counteroffer. Section 8-119(b) lists exemptions, such as transfers to family members and court-ordered sales. Read our [guide to selling a tenant-occupied rental](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/selling-a-tenant-occupied-rental) and the [right of first refusal definition](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/right-of-first-refusal). Calvert Cliffs State Park. Photo: Bohemian Baltimore, CC BY-SA 4.0. ## What local rules apply in each county? State law is the floor. Local law can add notice rules, licenses, or rent limits. Section 8-209(c) says the notice rule does not override any local law that gives tenants more protection. Place What we found Source State of Maryland Lead registration for rentals built before 1978. Renewal is due each December 31, and MDE lists a $30 fee per unit. MDE St. Mary’s County No countywide long-term rental license listed People’s Law Library Calvert County No countywide license listed. The towns of Chesapeake Beach and North Beach license rentals. People’s Law Library Charles County No countywide license today. A program is proposed to begin July 1, 2027, subject to final adoption. La Plata and Indian Head license separately. Charles County; People’s Law Library Prince George’s County Single-family rentals need a rental license, issued for 2 years. Many units also fall under rent increase limits. Prince George’s County Treat the license rows as a starting point and confirm with the county or town office. The People’s Law Library table is the State Law Library’s list, not a county notice. Our [rental license page](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-rental-license) and [lead paint page](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/dme-lead-paint-compliance) keep these rules current. The glossary has short entries for [rental license](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rental-license) and [lead paint registration](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/lead-paint-registration). Prince George’s County also limits rent increases for most units under its Permanent Rent Stabilization and Protection Act. The county’s table lists a 5.7 percent maximum from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 for regulated units outside age-restricted senior housing. Exemptions apply, for example for a landlord with five or fewer rental units in the county who is a natural person. The [rent increase guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/maryland-rent-increase-rules) explains this in detail. ## Where do I check the current official text? Start with these official pages, and check the date on each: 1. Maryland General Assembly, Real Property Article, Title 8: [mgaleg.maryland.gov](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/Statutes) 2. DHCD [Tenants’ Bill of Rights page](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/housing/renter-landlord-resources/tenants-bill-rights) 3. DHCD [public notice on the October 1, 2026 laws](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/news-stories/public-notices/2026-maryland-laws-impacting-housing-providers-will-take-effect-oct-1-2026) 4. Maryland [People’s Law Library](https://www.peoples-law.org/leases) for plain-language summaries 5. Your county or town housing office for licenses and local rent rules Laws change each year. A page that says “as of October 2026” may be out of date by next fall. If your situation is not simple, talk to a Maryland attorney. ## Next step Rules change faster than most owners can track. If you want a management team that works with these rules every day, request a free assessment at [/contact-us](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us) or call (301) 392-2172. You can also read how our [property management services](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/property-management-services) work. This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney. ## Frequently asked questions ### What are the main Maryland landlord-tenant laws? Most of the rules sit in Title 8 of the Real Property Article. Key sections cover security deposits (8-203), late fees (8-208), rent increase notice (8-209), application fees (8-213), reusable screening reports (8-218), and failure to pay rent (8-401). Newer laws add rules on criminal history screening and housing subsidies. ### What changed in Maryland landlord law on October 1, 2026? The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development lists three laws that took effect October 1, 2026. They cover criminal history screening (Fair Chance Housing Act), renters who use income-based housing subsidies plus positive rent reporting, and air conditioning in some apartment buildings with 10 or more units. ### Does Maryland have a Tenants' Bill of Rights? Yes. State law requires a landlord to attach the current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights to every residential lease. The Department of Housing and Community Development publishes a new version each year by October 1. A landlord may not edit it and must use the newest version. ### Do Maryland landlord laws change by county? Yes. State law is the floor, and local rules can add to it. Prince George's County has a rental license and a rent increase limit for many units. Charles County has proposed a rental license. St. Mary's and Calvert counties have no countywide license, but some towns license rentals. ### Can a Maryland landlord refuse a renter who uses a housing voucher? Not because the renter uses a voucher. Maryland fair housing law lists source of income as protected. Since October 1, 2026, a landlord generally may not refuse an applicant with an income-based subsidy based on income, credit score, or past credit problems from before the subsidy. ### Where do I find the official text of these laws? Read statutes on the Maryland General Assembly site (mgaleg.maryland.gov) under the Real Property Article. Read plain-language summaries from the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Maryland People's Law Library. Check the date on each page. ## Terms on this page - [Notice of intent to file](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/notice-of-intent-to-file) - [Fair Chance Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-chance-housing-act) - [Lead paint registration](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/lead-paint-registration) - [Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights) - [Housing Choice Voucher](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/housing-choice-voucher) - [Right of first refusal](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/right-of-first-refusal) - [Rent increase notice](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-increase-notice) - [Failure to pay rent](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/failure-to-pay-rent) - [Move-in inspection](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/move-in-inspection) - [Fair Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-housing-act) ## Sources 1. [Maryland General Assembly: HB 693, Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0693?ys=2024RS) 2. [Maryland DHCD: 2026 Maryland laws impacting housing providers will take effect Oct 1, 2026](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/news-stories/public-notices/2026-maryland-laws-impacting-housing-providers-will-take-effect-oct-1-2026) 3. [Maryland DHCD: 2027 Tenants' Bill of Rights press release](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/news-stories/press-releases/moore-miller-administration-publishes-2027-tenants-bill-rights-highlights-key-landlord-and-tenant) 4. [Maryland DHCD: Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/housing/renter-landlord-resources/tenants-bill-rights) 5. [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-203, security deposits](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-203&enactments=false) 6. [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-209, rent increase notice](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-209&enactments=false) 7. [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-208, prohibited lease provisions](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-208&enactments=false) 8. [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-401, failure to pay rent](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-401&enactments=false) 9. [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-119, right of first refusal](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-119&enactments=false) 10. [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-213, application fees](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-213&enactments=false) 11. [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-218, reusable tenant screening reports](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-218&enactments=false) 12. [Maryland People's Law Library: Leases](https://www.peoples-law.org/leases) 13. [Maryland People's Law Library: Failure to Pay Rent](https://www.peoples-law.org/failure-pay-rent) 14. [Maryland Department of the Environment: Lead Registration for Landlords](https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/leadpoisoningprevention/pages/rentalowners.aspx) 15. [Maryland Department of the Environment: Lead Registration for Landlords](https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/leadpoisoningprevention/pages/rentalowners.aspx) 16. [Prince George's County: Single-Family Rental Licensing](https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/homeland-security/code-compliance/single-family-rental-licensing) 17. [Charles County: Rental Licensing Program](https://www.charlescountymd.gov/government/planning-and-growth-management/rental-licensing-program) 18. [Prince George's County: Permanent Rent Stabilization and Protection Act (PRSA)](https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/permitting-inspections-and-enforcement/about-dpie/permanent-rent-stabilization-and-protection-act-prsa) 19. [Maryland DHCD: Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights (PDF, updated 10/01/2026)](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/media/490) 20. [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-203.1, security deposit receipt](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-203.1&enactments=false) Checked against the sources above on October 29, 2026. Laws, fees and programs change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [Property management fees and pricing in Southern MarylandReal Property Management Gold charges a one-time tenant placement fee of 6.9% of the 1-year lease total, plus a monthly management fee of 8.9% (Silver), 10.9% (Gold) or 12.9% (Platinum) of the rent. We do not get paid until you do. If we do not rent in 29 days, Gold and Platinum owners skip the first month's management fee.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/property-management-fees) - [Renting out your home when PCS orders send you awayIf you own a Southern Maryland home and get PCS orders, you can rent it instead of selling. Real Property Management Gold markets the home, screens applicants, writes the lease and reports to you online, wherever you are posted. We rent to any qualified applicant. The lease can include a military clause.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/military-pcs-rental-management) - [Residential property management for Southern Maryland rental homesReal Property Management Gold manages single-family homes, town homes and condos in St. Mary's, Charles and Calvert Counties, plus southern Prince George's County. We market the home, screen applicants, collect rent, coordinate repairs and report to you online. Tenant placement is 6.9% of the lease total. Monthly plans run 8.9% to 12.9%.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/residential-property-management-southern-maryland) ## 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)