Does the Tenants' Bill of Rights Go in Every Maryland Lease?

Does the Tenants’ Bill of Rights have to go in every lease?

Yes. DHCD says: “Under state law, landlords must attach a copy of the current Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights to every lease.” The statute agrees. Real Property Section 8-208(c)(4) says a lease shall include “a copy of the most current version of the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights published by the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs.”

The 2024 Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act, HB 693, set up the Office and the requirement. Read the Tenants’ Bill of Rights glossary entry for a short definition.

May I edit or shorten it?

No. DHCD says a landlord “may not edit or modify the Tenants’ Bill of Rights from the Maryland DHCD-published version in any way.” Print the PDF and attach it whole. If you need to add your own notices, put them on separate pages.

Which version is current?

DHCD publishes a new version each year by October 1. It says a landlord must use the most recently published one. The PDF on its page is marked “Updated 10/01/2026.” The administration’s October 1, 2026 release calls it the 2027 Tenants’ Bill of Rights. The release says that version covers laws taking effect October 1, 2026. See our post on those laws.

What goes wrong if I forget?

The sources I read do not name a penalty for leaving it out. Do not read that as permission. The statute says a lease “shall include” the document. Ask an attorney how a missed attachment could affect your case.

What should be in a Maryland lease package?

The statute lists required lease items. This post covers the Bill of Rights. Use this order when you assemble a package.

1. The lease itself, with the rent, term and parties.
2. The current Tenants’ Bill of Rights, unedited.
3. The security deposit receipt and terms. The cap is one month’s rent. See our deposit checklist.
4. Late fee terms. Section 8-208 says a lease may not provide a late fee above 5% of the unpaid rent. See the late fee entry.
5. Any lead paint, license or local notices that apply to your county.
6. Your own house rules, on separate pages.

When do rent increase notices come in?

Not in the Bill of Rights, but in the lease package you plan. Maryland sets 90 days’ notice for a rent increase on most tenancies longer than one month. See the rent increase notice entry and our Maryland rent increase rules.

What about renewals and local rules?

The sources I read do not say whether you must give a new copy at renewal. Ask DHCD or an attorney. DHCD also says some counties and cities have their own rental licensing or renter protections, and that it plans to post information on local laws on its page. Check our Southern Maryland rental license guide. The lease renewal entry covers the term.

What is a simple yearly routine?

You do not need a complicated system. This one takes a few minutes.

1. Each October, open the DHCD Tenants’ Bill of Rights page and download the new PDF.
2. Replace the file in every lease template and e-signature packet.
3. Keep a short log with the date you replaced it and the version name.
4. Give each new tenant a copy and keep proof of delivery.
5. Remove old versions from your active folder so no one attaches one by mistake.

If you manage several homes, assign one person to own this task.

What else does the DHCD page offer?

DHCD says the document uses plain language and works with screen readers and other assistive devices. It posts printable PDFs in 18 other languages. For tenants at risk of eviction, the page says households with income below 50% of the state’s median income may be eligible for free legal services through Maryland’s Access to Counsel in Evictions Program, reached by calling 2-1-1 or visiting legalhelpmd.org. Housing industry professionals with questions about the requirement can use the contact on the DHCD page.

What else does Section 8-208 require in a lease?

Subsection (c) lists four items a lease shall include.

Subsection (d) lists terms a landlord may not use. They include a clause where the tenant waives rights or remedies the law provides, a clause that waives the right to a jury trial, a clause that shortens the notice period required by law, and a late fee above 5% of the unpaid rent. Run your lease template against that list each year.

Next step

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This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney.