Tenant Rights Maryland: What You Can and Can't Do as a Renter
When you rent a home in Maryland, a U.S. state with specific legal protections for renters, including rules on security deposits, repairs, and eviction timelines. Also known as Maryland rental law, it gives tenants clear rights that landlords must follow—no matter what the lease says. Unlike some states, Maryland doesn’t let landlords write their own rules on top of state law. If your lease says you can’t have pets but Maryland law allows reasonable pets, the law wins.
Your security deposit, a sum paid upfront to cover damages, with strict limits on how much landlords can charge and when they must return it. Also known as rental bond, it can’t be more than two months’ rent in Maryland. And if your landlord doesn’t return it within 45 days after you move out—with a written itemized list of deductions—they owe you double the amount. That’s not a suggestion. It’s the law. Landlords also can’t charge non-refundable fees unless they’re clearly labeled as such in the lease and allowed under state code.
When something breaks—like a broken heater in winter or a leaking roof—Maryland law says your landlord must fix it within a reasonable time. If they don’t, you can legally withhold rent, make the repair yourself and deduct the cost, or even terminate the lease. But you can’t just stop paying. You have to follow the right steps: send written notice, give them time, and keep proof. The same goes for eviction, the legal process landlords must use to remove a tenant, which requires court approval and cannot be done by locking you out or cutting utilities. Also known as unlawful detainer, it. Landlords in Maryland can’t evict you for no reason. They need a court order, and they must give you at least 30 days’ notice for non-payment of rent. If they try to force you out without one, you can call the police—they won’t help the landlord.
And yes, you have the right to quiet enjoyment. That means your landlord can’t just show up unannounced. They need at least 24 hours’ notice before entering, unless it’s an emergency. They also can’t raise your rent mid-lease unless your lease says they can—and even then, only after giving you proper notice. Rent control doesn’t exist statewide, but some cities like Baltimore have local rules that limit how much rent can increase each year.
Whether you’re new to renting in Maryland or you’ve been in the same place for years, knowing these rules keeps you from getting taken advantage of. You don’t need a lawyer to stand your ground—just the facts. Below, you’ll find real guides from renters who’ve faced deposit disputes, repair delays, and eviction threats. These aren’t hypotheticals. These are people who used Maryland law to win back their money, get their heat fixed, or stay in their homes. What they learned could save you thousands.
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- September 18 2025
- Archer Hollings
- 0 Comments