Maryland Security Deposit Calculator
Calculate Your Maximum Security Deposit
Maryland's 2024 law caps security deposits at one month's rent. This calculator helps you determine if you're compliant with the new law.
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Maryland law requires that security deposits be limited to one month's rent. Any excess amount must be refunded within 45 days of lease renewal.
Remember: Landlords cannot charge extra fees labeled as "pet deposits" or "cleaning fees" that are part of the security deposit. All fees must be clearly outlined in the lease agreement.
Need to register your rental property? Maryland now requires all rental properties to be registered with the state. You can check your registration status and complete the process at dhcd.maryland.gov.
Starting January 1, 2024, Maryland rolled out major changes to its landlord-tenant laws that affect every rental property owner and tenant in the state. These aren’t minor tweaks-they reshape how security deposits are handled, how evictions work, and what landlords must register with local governments. If you rent out property in Maryland, ignoring these updates could cost you money, time, or even your right to collect rent.
Security Deposit Limits and Rules Got Tighter
Before 2024, landlords in Maryland could ask for up to two months’ rent as a security deposit. Now, the law caps it at one month’s rent, no exceptions. This applies to all residential leases signed or renewed after January 1, 2024. If you collected more than that before, you’re still allowed to keep it-but once the lease renews, you must refund the excess within 45 days.
Landlords also can’t charge extra fees labeled as "pet deposits" or "cleaning fees" unless they’re clearly outlined in the lease and separate from the security deposit. These are now considered part of the one-month limit. You can’t hide them in fine print.
When returning deposits, landlords must provide a written itemized list of deductions within 45 days after the tenant moves out. That list must include receipts for repairs, cleaning, or unpaid rent. No vague statements like "general wear and tear" anymore. If you fail to provide this, you forfeit the entire deposit-even if the tenant damaged the place.
Rental Registration Is Now Mandatory Statewide
For the first time, all rental properties in Maryland must be registered with the state. This isn’t just a local requirement anymore-it’s statewide. Landlords who don’t register by the deadline face fines of $500 per month, per unit, until they comply.
To register, you need to submit:
- Your full legal name or business name
- Physical address of the rental property
- Phone number and email for tenant communication
- Proof of property ownership or management authority
- Payment of a $25 annual registration fee
The registration portal is managed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). You can do it online in under 15 minutes. Once registered, you get a unique ID number that must be included in every lease agreement. Tenants can verify your registration status using that number on the DHCD website.
If you own multiple units, each one needs its own registration-even if they’re on the same street. There are no bulk discounts. And if you sell the property, the new owner has 30 days to update the registration. Failure to do so means the old owner stays legally responsible.
Eviction Process Got Slower-and More Transparent
Evictions in Maryland now take longer, but they’re also harder to mess up. Landlords can’t just show up with a notice and call the sheriff. The law now requires:
- A 30-day notice for non-payment of rent (up from 14 days)
- A 7-day notice for lease violations (like unauthorized pets or noise)
- Proof that the tenant received the notice via certified mail, personal delivery, or posted on the door with a follow-up letter
After the notice period, you must file a formal complaint with the district court. There’s no more "self-help" eviction-no changing locks, shutting off utilities, or removing belongings. If you do any of that, the tenant can sue you for up to three months’ rent in damages.
Courts now require landlords to prove they’ve registered the property before hearing any eviction case. If you haven’t registered, your case gets dismissed. No second chances. You’ll have to refile after registering-and wait another 30 days before trying again.
Repairs and Habitability Are Now Enforced
Tenants can legally withhold rent if the property has serious habitability issues. These include:
- No heat in winter
- Broken plumbing that prevents toilet or shower use
- Active mold growth affecting health
- Structural hazards like falling ceilings or unstable stairs
Before withholding rent, tenants must give the landlord a written notice detailing the issue and allow 14 days to fix it. If the landlord doesn’t respond, the tenant can pay rent into an escrow account at the local district court. The court holds the money until repairs are made or a judge decides who gets it.
Landlords who ignore these notices for 30 days can be fined up to $1,000 per violation. The DHCD can also send inspectors to the property. If violations are confirmed, the landlord gets a notice to repair-or lose their registration.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Non-compliance doesn’t just mean fines. The state can:
- Block you from collecting rent until you register
- Issue a cease-and-desist order against renting the property
- Require you to pay the tenant’s legal fees if they sue you
- Publicly list your name and property on the DHCD’s non-compliant landlord database
That last one matters. Tenants are encouraged to check the database before signing a lease. If your name shows up as non-compliant, you’ll have a hard time finding new renters-even if your property is clean and well-maintained.
What Landlords Should Do Right Now
If you own rental property in Maryland, here’s your checklist:
- Check if your property is registered on the DHCD website. If not, register immediately.
- Review all active leases. If your security deposit exceeds one month’s rent, plan to refund the excess before the next renewal.
- Update your lease agreement to include your DHCD registration number.
- Train your property manager or cleaning crew on what counts as "normal wear and tear" versus damage.
- Keep digital copies of all notices, repair receipts, and communication with tenants.
There’s no grace period anymore. The state is actively auditing properties. If you get a letter from DHCD asking for your registration number, don’t ignore it. Respond within 7 days.
Where to Find Official Resources
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development runs the official portal for landlord registration and compliance: dhcd.maryland.gov. You can download lease templates, watch free training videos, and check your registration status there.
Local housing agencies in Baltimore, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County also offer free legal clinics for landlords. These aren’t just for tenants-they’ll help you understand your obligations under the new law.
Do I need to register if I rent out a room in my house?
Yes. Any property used for rental purposes-even a single room in your home-must be registered under Maryland’s 2024 law. The only exception is if you rent to a family member who lives with you full-time. Otherwise, registration is required regardless of size or number of units.
Can I raise rent after registering?
Yes, but you must still follow notice rules. For month-to-month leases, you need 60 days’ notice before increasing rent. For fixed-term leases, you can’t raise rent until the lease ends unless the lease says otherwise. Registration doesn’t give you automatic rent increase rights.
What if my tenant refuses to pay rent because I haven’t registered?
Tenants can legally withhold rent if the property isn’t registered. They must deposit the rent into a court escrow account, not keep it themselves. If you register within 30 days of being notified, the tenant must release the funds. If you don’t, the court may award the money to the tenant as compensation.
Do I need to re-register every year?
Yes. Registration expires annually on the date you first registered. You’ll receive a reminder email from DHCD, but it’s your responsibility to renew. The fee remains $25 per unit per year. Late renewals incur a $50 penalty.
Can a property management company register for me?
Yes, but only if they’re legally authorized to act on your behalf. You must provide them with a signed management agreement and list yourself as the property owner in the registration. The company can submit the paperwork, but you remain legally responsible for compliance.
If you’re unsure about any part of the new law, don’t guess. Visit the DHCD website, call their landlord hotline, or attend a free workshop. The cost of ignorance is far higher than the cost of compliance.
