Landlord-tenant law

Maryland Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Maryland.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
2 months' rent
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
45 days
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
Notice of intent to file for eviction served immediately (no mandatory cure period before filing; however, tenant may pay up through the date of judgment)
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
60 days
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402(b)(3)
¢
Late Fee Cap
5% of monthly rent
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3)
⏱
Grace Period
No statutory grace period (late fee may apply once rent is past due)
Maryland specific notes

Maryland's eviction process for nonpayment is relatively swift (no mandatory notice period before filing) but tenants retain the right to pay and stay through the court date. Interest on deposits required at Treasury-minimum rate. Montgomery and Prince George's County have additional tenant protections. Baltimore City has local just-cause eviction requirements.

FAQ

Common Maryland landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Maryland?+
2 months' rent. Governed by Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b). Deposit must be returned within 45 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Maryland for non-payment of rent?+
Notice of intent to file for eviction served immediately (no mandatory cure period before filing; however, tenant may pay up through the date of judgment). Per Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401. This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Maryland?+
60 days. Per Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402(b)(3). This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Maryland?+
5% of monthly rent. Per Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3). Grace period: No statutory grace period (late fee may apply once rent is past due). Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Maryland

Compare

See how Maryland stacks up

Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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