--- title: "Maryland Lead Registration: Renewal Is Due Every December 31" description: "Own a rental built before 1978? Maryland requires state lead registration, a $30 per unit annual renewal by December 31, and lead certificates at turnover." url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/maryland-lead-registration-deadline publisher: Real Property Management Gold phone: +1-301-392-2172 assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment --- # Maryland Lead Registration: Renewal Is Due Every December 31 Maryland requires owners of rental homes built before 1978 to register with the state, renew every year, and provide valid lead inspection certificates at each tenant turnover unless the home is certified lead-free. MDE says the annual renewal is due by December 31, with a $30 fee per unit. Maryland lawPublished October 1, 20264 min read ## Do I need to register my Maryland rental for lead? If it was built before 1978, yes. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) says: “Owners of rental homes built before 1978 must register their properties with the state, renew annually, and provide valid lead inspection certificates at each tenant turnover, unless the property is certified lead-free.” See the [lead paint registration](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/lead-paint-registration) glossary entry. Our [lead paint compliance guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/dme-lead-paint-compliance) goes deeper. ## When is the renewal due, and what does it cost? MDE says: “Annual renewal is due by December 31, with a $30 fee per unit.” Item What MDE says Who Owners of rental homes built before 1978 How often Every year Deadline December 31 Fee $30 per unit Proof at turnover Valid lead inspection certificate, unless certified lead-free Ownership change New registration and tracking number MDE’s rental owner FAQ says a single-family rental counts as one unit. A building with more units pays per unit. Older MDE documents list other amounts. Confirm the number on the MDE page when you renew. ## How do I renew? MDE recommends online registration for faster processing and requires it for renewals and updates. Paper forms are only for new properties under the same ownership and must include a tracking number. 1. Find your tracking number. Check email from MDE, old renewal forms or postcards, the Rental Registry Property Search tool, or call the Lead Rental Registry office. 2. Check that the owner name matches state tax records exactly. MDE says ownership records must match. 3. Renew online and pay $30 per unit. 4. Save the confirmation. 5. If a property is missing from your list, or you have more than one tracking number, contact MDE and ask for help. MDE’s contact line is 410-537-4199. ## What happens at tenant turnover? You must provide a valid lead inspection certificate at each turnover, unless the home is certified lead-free. Plan for this when a tenant gives notice. Book the inspection early so the home is ready for the next lease. See the [make ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/make-ready) and [rent ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-ready) entries for how that flows. ## Why keep records? MDE says to keep a copy of your registration form and lead inspection certificates. It says they may be needed to register with local governments, to use rent court, or to apply for programs like Section 8. It also says failure to comply “can result in fines and loss of legal protections.” If you sell, MDE says a change in ownership needs a new registration and tracking number. ## Are there local rules on top of the state rule? Possibly. MDE says some counties and Baltimore City require separate registration and fees, and that the state does not collect those fees. In our area, Prince George’s County licenses single-family rentals, and some towns license separately. See the [Southern Maryland rental license guide](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/southern-maryland-rental-license) and the [rental license](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rental-license) entry. ## What is a good December checklist? 1. List every rental built before 1978. 2. Gather tracking numbers. 3. Renew each property online before December 31. 4. File confirmations with your lease records. 5. Check which units turn over in the next 90 days and book inspections. 6. Review the [Tenants’ Bill of Rights](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights) in your lease packet. ## What should I have ready when I call MDE? MDE suggests you give your name, tracking number, phone number, email address and a clear description of your question. Staff can then help faster. The office takes calls at 410-537-4199. ## What are common mistakes? 1. Letting the owner name differ from state tax records. MDE says they must match exactly. 2. Using paper for a renewal. MDE requires online filing for renewals and updates. 3. Forgetting a property after a sale or purchase. A change in ownership needs a new registration and tracking number. 4. Skipping the certificate at turnover. The rule asks for a valid lead inspection certificate each time, unless the home is certified lead-free. 5. Losing records. MDE says to keep copies of registration forms and certificates. ## What does a fall timeline look like? When Task October List pre-1978 rentals and find tracking numbers November Renew online and save confirmations Early December Fix any mismatch with MDE before the deadline December 31 Renewal due ## Which homes does the rule reach? The line is the year built. The rule covers rental homes built before 1978. A home built in 1978 or later is outside it. If you are unsure of the year, check your closing papers or county property records, and ask MDE if the records disagree. A home that is certified lead-free does not need an inspection certificate at each turnover. Keep proof of the certification with your records. ## Next step Want someone to track renewals and certificates for you? Request a free assessment at [/contact-us](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us) or call (301) 392-2172. This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney. ## Frequently asked questions ### When is Maryland lead registration due? MDE says annual renewal is due by December 31, with a $30 fee per unit. New rental owners of pre-1978 homes must register. Online registration is recommended for faster processing and is required for renewals and updates, so start early in December. ### Which rentals does the lead rule cover? MDE says owners of rental homes built before 1978 must register with the state. The rule covers the home unless it is certified lead-free. Owners must also provide valid lead inspection certificates at each tenant turnover. ### How much does registration cost? MDE's page lists a $30 fee per unit for the annual renewal. MDE's rental owner FAQ says a single-family rental counts as one unit. Some other MDE documents show older figures, so confirm the amount on the MDE page before you pay. ### Do counties have their own rental registration? Some counties and Baltimore City require separate rental property registration and fees in addition to the state requirement. MDE says the state does not collect fees on behalf of local jurisdictions. Check your county and town. ### What happens if I fall behind? MDE says failure to comply can result in fines and loss of legal protections. It also says registration and inspection records may be needed for rent court or programs like Section 8. Keep copies of every certificate and form. ## 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) - [Rental license](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rental-license) - [Make-ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/make-ready) - [Rent-ready](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/rent-ready) ## Sources 1. [Maryland Department of the Environment: Lead Registration for Landlords](https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/leadpoisoningprevention/pages/rentalowners.aspx) 2. [Maryland Department of the Environment: Lead Registration for Landlords](https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/leadpoisoningprevention/pages/rentalowners.aspx) 3. [Maryland Department of the Environment: Lead Registration for Landlords, renewal](https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/leadpoisoningprevention/pages/rentalowners.aspx) 4. [Maryland Department of the Environment: Lead Registration for Landlords, records and local rules](https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/leadpoisoningprevention/pages/rentalowners.aspx) 5. [Maryland Department of the Environment: Lead Registration for Landlords, penalties](https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/leadpoisoningprevention/pages/rentalowners.aspx) 6. [Maryland Department of the Environment: Rental Property Owner FAQ's](https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/documents/leadfactsheets/leadfaq.pdf) 7. [Maryland Department of the Environment: Rental Property Owner FAQ's](https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/documents/leadfactsheets/leadfaq.pdf) Checked against the sources above on October 1, 2026. Laws, fees and programs change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [Charles County Rental License Proposal: What Owners Should KnowCharles County has proposed a rental licensing program. As of October 29, 2026, the county's page says it is under review and subject to final adoption. If adopted, it would begin July 1, 2027, cost $107 a year with at least two inspections included, and set a registration deadline of December 31, 2027.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/charles-county-rental-license-proposal) - [Three Maryland Housing Laws That Took Effect October 1, 2026Three Maryland housing laws took effect October 1, 2026: the Fair Chance Housing Act (SB 937), a law on income-based housing subsidies and positive rent reporting (SB 335/HB 315), and an air-conditioning rule for certain apartment buildings with 10 or more units (SB 12). DHCD also published the 2027 Tenants' Bill of Rights.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/maryland-housing-laws-october-2026) - [Maryland Security Deposit Cap: A One-Month Lease ChecklistMaryland law caps a security deposit at one month's rent per dwelling unit (Real Property 8-203(b)). A narrow exception allows up to two months. Overcharging can cost a landlord up to three times the extra amount plus attorney's fees. Return the deposit, with any interest owed and a list of deductions, within 45 days after the tenancy ends.](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/maryland-security-deposit-checklist) ## 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)