--- title: "Tenant Screening in Maryland: Rules and Our Process" description: "Maryland tenant screening rules for landlords: application fees, reusable screening reports, criminal history, vouchers, and how we screen applicants." url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/tenant-screening publisher: Real Property Management Gold phone: +1-301-392-2172 assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment --- # Tenant Screening in Maryland: What the Law Allows and How We Screen Maryland limits what you can charge applicants, requires you to say whether you accept reusable screening reports, bars refusing a renter because of a housing voucher, and since October 1, 2026 restricts criminal history checks for larger providers. Use the same written criteria for every applicant, and check each rule below. Landlord CenterUpdated October 29, 20269 min read - **Application fees.** Fees over $25 must be returned, except the part actually spent on the application. This rule does not reach landlords with four or fewer units at one location. - **Reusable reports.** A landlord must tell applicants whether it accepts reusable screening reports. If it accepts one, it may not charge an application fee or an access fee. - **Criminal history.** Since October 1, 2026, providers with five or more units generally must make a conditional offer before checking criminal history. - **Vouchers.** A housing voucher is a lawful source of income. A landlord generally may not refuse an applicant who uses an income-based subsidy because of income or credit factors. ## What does tenant screening need to do for a Maryland landlord? Screening answers one question: can this applicant pay the rent and follow the lease? You answer it with written criteria that you apply the same way to every applicant. Maryland law and the federal Fair Housing Act then limit what you may ask, charge, and consider. This page does two jobs. It explains the Maryland rules in plain English. It also shows how Real Property Management Gold screens, using only what we publish on our own pages. Rules that took effect on October 1, 2026 are marked, because many older articles on this topic do not cover them. ## How do we screen applicants? We screen with a written application from each adult, identity and income checks, and a search of court records. These details come from our published renter terms and our [system overview](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/how-our-system-works-and-what-we-cost). Step What we publish Application Each applicant 18 or older applies. The application fee is $65 per applicant. Turnaround “24 to 72 business hours” Income Minimum gross income of at least 3 times the rental rate before taxes Verification ID verification through Plaid and income or employment checks through The Work Number Court records “check court records to see if an eviction was ever filed against them” Reusable reports Not accepted. We do not accept RentSpree applications. Fraud False documents or information on an application are prohibited and will be forwarded to law enforcement Decision We reserve the right to decline applications for any nondiscriminatory reason Our tenant placement fee is 6.9% of the 1-year lease total. We charge it once, after the tenant moves in. The placement service lists 6-Point Tenant Screening and pet screening. See [property management fees](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/property-management-fees) for the full list. If your home already has a tenant in place, we charge no placement fee when we take over that lease. Every screening point must follow the rules below. A step that is legal for a one-house owner may be restricted for a provider that manages five or more units. ## What can a Maryland landlord charge for an application? You may keep only what you actually spend on the application. Real Property 8-213 says that if a landlord requires fees above $25 (other than a security deposit), it must return the fees or owe twice the amount in damages. The landlord may keep only the part actually spent on a credit check or other costs of the application, and must return the rest. Question Answer under 8-213 When must unspent fees be returned? No later than 15 days after occupancy, or after either side tells the other in writing that there will be no tenancy What may you keep? Only the part actually spent on a credit check or other expenses of the application What if you do not return it? Liability for twice the amount of the fees in damages Who is exempt? Landlords who offer four or fewer dwelling units on one parcel or at one location, and seasonal or condominium rentals What must the application say? The liabilities the tenant takes on by signing, and the rules in subsections (b) and (c) Application fees are separate from the security deposit. The deposit limit is 1 month’s rent in most cases. See the [security deposit guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/security-deposit-guidelines-laws). Solomons Island. Photo: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0. ## Must I accept a reusable screening report? No. You must say whether you accept them. Real Property 8-218(c) requires a landlord to tell prospective tenants whether or not it accepts reusable tenant screening reports. You can say so in a listing, on your website homepage, on the online application page, or in any other way that reasonably gives notice. A reusable tenant screening report is a report that a consumer reporting agency prepared in the previous 30 days, at the applicant’s request and expense. The agency must make it directly available to you at no charge. The report must include: 1. A credit report 2. A criminal history records check and an eviction history for each prior-residence jurisdiction, covering the previous 7 years 3. Verification of employment and income 4. Current address and rental history If you accept a report, you may not charge the applicant an access fee or an application fee. You may ask the applicant to certify that nothing material has changed since the report was made. You may reject an application before the lease is signed if the applicant made a material change to the report. Our renter terms say reusable reports are not accepted. The law allows that choice. Our renter terms state it plainly, which is the kind of notice the rule describes. Read the [reusable tenant screening report definition](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/reusable-tenant-screening-report) for a short summary. ## Can I screen for criminal history? Yes, but the order of steps matters. The Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act (SB 937, Chapter 752) took effect on October 1, 2026. It applies to housing providers who own or manage five or more residential units in Maryland. It does not apply to owner-occupied rental units or to providers who do not run criminal background checks. DHCD’s public notice says the law: - Describes when a provider may request criminal history, which convictions may be considered, and when history may be the basis for denial - Requires applicants to disclose certain specified convictions if asked. Otherwise a provider generally must make a conditional offer before checking criminal history. - Requires the provider to give the reason if it withdraws a conditional offer because of criminal history, and lets the applicant ask for a reassessment with more documentation - Bars advertising that the provider will not consider applicants with criminal histories - Bars requiring drug or alcohol testing - Allows penalties of up to $500 per violation DHCD says it is developing voluntary model forms. Providers do not have to use them. Read the DHCD notice and the bill text before you change your process. Our [Maryland landlord-tenant law hub](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/maryland-landlord-tenant-law) lists the other October 2026 laws, and our glossary defines the [Fair Chance Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-chance-housing-act). The DHCD summary covers criminal history. It does not mention eviction history. Eviction filings come from civil court records. Ask a Maryland attorney how the Act fits your screening steps. Older advice often tells owners to look up an applicant on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search site first. For a covered provider, that step may now come only after a conditional offer. Check the current rule before you rely on any older checklist. ## Can I turn away a renter who uses a housing voucher? No, not because of the voucher. Maryland fair housing law lists source of income as a protected class, and a housing voucher is a lawful source of income. The Tenants’ Bill of Rights lists source of income under prohibited acts by landlords. A second law took effect on October 1, 2026 (SB 335 / HB 315). When an applicant will pay with an income-based housing subsidy, a provider generally may not refuse to rent based on: - The applicant’s income - The applicant’s credit score or lack of a credit score - Adverse credit history that occurred when the applicant did not have the subsidy You may still verify that the applicant has enough income to pay the part of the rent the subsidy does not cover. You may also use other commercially reasonable, nondiscriminatory information, such as references from past landlords or a history of lease violations, failure to pay utilities, nuisance, or property damage. An income minimum, such as 3 times the rent, needs care here. DHCD says you may verify income for the part of the rent the subsidy does not cover. Ask your attorney before you apply a multiple of the full rent to a subsidy applicant. Our [housing voucher guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/housing-vouchers-maryland-landlords) explains the voucher process for owners, and the glossary defines [housing choice voucher](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/housing-choice-voucher). ## What does fair housing law require in screening? Treat every applicant by the same written rules. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability, according to HUD. Maryland also protects source of income. Our renter terms state that we comply with federal, state, and local fair housing laws. They list race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and source of income. They also say we may decline an application for any nondiscriminatory reason. Practical steps for any owner: 1. Write your criteria before you list: income test, credit and rental history standards, and pet rules. 2. Post the criteria in the listing, so applicants can decide whether to apply. 3. Describe the home, not the person you want to rent to. Do not say who should or should not apply. 4. Apply the same criteria to every adult applicant, in the same order. 5. Keep the application, the checks, and the reason for each decision. The glossary has short entries on the [Fair Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-housing-act) and [reasonable accommodation](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/reasonable-accommodation). ## How do assistance animal requests work? Treat a request for an animal because of a disability as a fair housing question, not as a pet application. The Fair Housing Act protects people with disabilities, and a home with a no-pets rule can still be required to consider a request. HUD has issued new enforcement guidance on how to assess animal requests. Get legal advice before you deny a request or charge a pet fee for it. Our [pet screening page](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/pet-screening) explains how we handle pets, and the glossary defines [assistance animal](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/assistance-animal). ## What are common screening mistakes? Most mistakes come from inconsistent steps, not from bad intent. Watch for these: 1. **Different standards for different applicants.** Set one written standard and use it every time. 2. **Describing the renter you want in the ad.** List the qualifications, not the kind of person. 3. **Skipping an adult.** Collect an application from every adult who will live in the home. One applicant’s credit can differ from another’s. 4. **Trusting a landlord reference you have not verified.** Call a management company or apartment office, not a number the applicant gives you. If you cannot reach a real landlord, ask for proof of rent payments such as bank statements. 5. **Forgetting the reusable report notice.** Say yes or no in your listing or on your application page. 6. **Ignoring the fee rule.** Return any unspent fees above $25 within 15 days if the rule covers you. 7. **Checking criminal history too early.** If you own or manage five or more units, follow the conditional offer process. 8. **Refusing a voucher.** Source of income is protected. Calvert Cliffs State Park. Photo: Bohemian Baltimore, CC BY-SA 4.0. ## What happens after an applicant is approved? Move from approval to a signed lease and a documented move-in. The usual order is: 1. Send the lease with the current Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights attached. 2. Collect the security deposit, up to 1 month’s rent in most cases, and give the receipt that Real Property 8-203.1 requires. 3. Collect first month’s rent in a form that clears, such as certified funds. 4. Complete a move-in inspection with photos and a written list of existing damage. 5. Hand over keys and the move-in checklist. The [security deposit guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/security-deposit-guidelines-laws) covers the deposit rules in full. The glossary defines the [move-in inspection](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/move-in-inspection). If you rent through us, the renter side of this process lives on our [tenants page](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/tenants) and the [houses for rent](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/houses-rent) page. ## Next step Screening is easier when one team applies the same standard to every applicant. To have us screen and place a tenant in your home, request a free assessment at [/contact-us](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us) or call (301) 392-2172. You can also read what our [property management services](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/property-management-services) include. This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much can a Maryland landlord charge for a rental application? Maryland does not set one flat fee. If a landlord collects fees above $25 (other than a security deposit), it must return them within 15 days, except the part actually spent on a credit check or other application costs. The rule does not apply to landlords with four or fewer units at one location. ### Do Maryland landlords have to accept reusable tenant screening reports? No, but a landlord must tell applicants whether it accepts them. The notice can be in a listing, on a website, or on the application page. If a landlord accepts a report, it may not charge the applicant an access fee or an application fee. ### Can a landlord in Maryland run a criminal background check? Yes, with limits. Under the Fair Chance Housing Act, effective October 1, 2026, providers who own or manage five or more units generally must make a conditional offer first. They may not advertise that they refuse applicants with criminal histories. Penalties can reach $500 per violation. ### Can I refuse an applicant who has a Section 8 or housing voucher? Not because of the voucher. Source of income is protected in Maryland. Since October 1, 2026, a landlord generally may not refuse an applicant with an income-based subsidy based on income, credit score, or credit trouble from before the subsidy. You may verify income for the rent portion the subsidy does not cover. ### What do you check when screening a tenant? Our renter terms list an application for each adult applicant, ID verification through Plaid, The Work Number, a minimum gross income of 3 times the rent, and a check of court records for past eviction filings. Our tenant placement service also lists 6-Point Tenant Screening and pet screening. ### How long does a rental application take? Our published renter terms give an application turnaround time of 24 to 72 business hours. ### Must I make an exception for an assistance animal? A request for an animal because of a disability is a fair housing question, not a pet application. HUD has issued new guidance on how to assess these requests, so get legal advice before you deny one. See our pet screening page for how pet rules work. ## Terms on this page - [Reusable tenant screening report](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/reusable-tenant-screening-report) - [Reasonable accommodation](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/reasonable-accommodation) - [Fair Chance Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-chance-housing-act) - [Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights) - [Housing Choice Voucher](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/housing-choice-voucher) - [Move-in inspection](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/move-in-inspection) - [Assistance animal](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/assistance-animal) - [Fair Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-housing-act) - [Security deposit](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/security-deposit) ## Sources 1. [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-213, application fees](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-213&enactments=false) 2. [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) 3. [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) 4. [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) 5. [Maryland DHCD: Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights (PDF, updated 10/01/2026)](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/media/490) 6. [HUD: Housing Discrimination Under the Fair Housing Act](https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/fair-housing-act-overview) 7. [Maryland General Assembly: Real Property 8-203, security deposits](https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-203&enactments=false) 8. [Real Property Management Gold: Houses for Rent (renter terms)](https://www.realpmgold.com/houses-rent) 9. [Real Property Management Gold: How Our System Works and What We Cost](https://www.realpmgold.com/how-our-system-works-and-what-we-cost) 10. [HUD: Enforcement Guidance, Assessing Requests for the Use of an Animal as a Reasonable Accommodation under the Fair Housing Act](https://www.hud.gov/sites/default/files/hudclips/documents/AS-Trainor-Enforcement-Guidance-Assessing-Requests-for-the-use-of-an-animal-as-a-reasonable-accommodation-under-the-fair-housing-act.pdf) Checked against the sources above on October 29, 2026. Laws, fees and programs change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [Should you rent out your home instead of selling it?You can rent your Southern Maryland home instead of selling it. Compare your likely rent with your mortgage, taxes, insurance, repairs and vacancy, then check Maryland rules on deposits, lead registration and county licenses. Real Property Management Gold finds the tenant and manages the rental. Tenant placement costs 6.9% of the lease total.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/rent-out-your-home) - [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) - [Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law: The Rules Every Rental Owner Should KnowMaryland 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.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/maryland-landlord-tenant-law) ## 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)