Security Deposit Rules
Security deposit limits, return deadlines, and landlord entry notice rules are set by state and sometimes local law, and they change. Confirm the current rule in the statute itself or with a local tenant resource before relying on it. Our Maryland security deposit interest page covers whether interest is owed.
Notice Requirements
Landlord entry, month-to-month termination, and rent increase notice periods are set by state and sometimes local law, and they change. Check the lease for its notice terms, and confirm the current legal minimums in the statute or with a local tenant resource before relying on them.
Rent Control
Rent control rules depend on state and local law, and they change. Check the current rules with your state or local housing agency, or a local tenant resource, before relying on them.
Habitability & Repair Requirements
Maryland landlords are required to maintain rental units in habitable condition.
Market Conditions & Lease-Risk Notes for Maryland
The DC Metro area drives Maryland's commercial and residential demand. Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring command premium rents with vacancy rates under 5%. Baltimore's commercial market has struggled with office vacancy post-pandemic. Annapolis benefits from state government and Naval Academy presence.
Tenant protections vary by state. State and local laws may establish requirements that apply regardless of what a lease says. Review the lease alongside current applicable law before signing. Baltimore City has its own ordinances.
Baltimore commercial leases in older buildings with maintenance provisions that shift capital repair costs to tenants. Auto-renewal clauses in a market where rents have risen sharply in the DC suburbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the security deposit limit in Maryland?
- Maryland caps security deposits at 1 month rent (reduced from 2 months by HB 693, Md. Real Prop. §8-203, effective Oct. 1, 2024). Deposits held more than 6 months must accrue interest at a set annual rate. (Verified November 7, 2026.)
- Does Maryland have rent control?
- Rent control rules depend on state and local law, and they change. Check the current rules with your state or local housing agency, or a local tenant resource, before relying on them.
- What is the entry notice requirement in Maryland?
- Maryland now requires at least 24 hours written notice before entry, generally 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday (Md. Real Prop. §8-221, effective Oct. 1, 2025), except in emergencies. (Verified November 7, 2026.)
- How long does a Maryland landlord have to return a security deposit?
- Security deposit limits, return deadlines, and landlord entry notice rules are set by state and sometimes local law, and they change. Confirm the current rule in the statute itself or with a local tenant resource before relying on it.
- What tenant rights does Maryland provide for habitability violations?
- Maryland has procedures that may apply to serious habitability problems, and the details vary, so ask a local attorney before changing how you pay rent. Written notice to the landlord is required before exercising these rights.
Cities in Maryland
Find city-specific lease guides for major markets in Maryland: