Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Last verified: · Confidence: high
Maryland landlord deadlines
Statewide rules for Maryland. Cities and counties can add their own rules. Statutes and agency pages: mgaleg.maryland.gov.
Return deposit plus interest within 45 days; itemized damages list by first-class mail Verified
Deadline: Within 45 days after move-out
Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, return the deposit with accrued simple interest, less damages rightfully withheld; if withholding any amount, mail an itemized list of damages and costs within the same 45 days.
Who it covers: Interest due only on deposits of $50 or more; simple interest at the greater of the 1-year Treasury yield-curve rate (first business day of each year) or 1.5%/yr.
"Within 45 days after the end of the tenancy, the landlord shall return the security deposit to the tenant together with simple interest which has accrued at the daily U.S. Treasury yield curve rate for 1 year, as of the first business day of each year, or 1.5% a year, whichever is greater," mgaleg.maryland.gov
"within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, a written list of the damages claimed under subsection (f)(1) of this section together with an itemized statement of the cost incurred." mgaleg.maryland.gov
Notes: §8-203(e),(g). Up to 3x withheld amount plus attorney's fees for unreasonable withholding. DHCD publishes the yearly rates/calculator.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Deposit into a Maryland interest-bearing escrow account within 30 days Verified
Deadline: Within 30 days after the lease starts
Put the security deposit in a deposit-only, interest-bearing account at a Maryland branch of a financial institution within 30 days of receiving it.
"A security deposit shall be deposited in an account within 30 days after the landlord receives it." mgaleg.maryland.gov
Notes: §8-203(d). Statute alternatively allows certain insured investments (not quoted). Anchor approximates date of receipt.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Written deposit receipt (in the lease) with required tenant-rights notices; keep 2 years Verified
Deadline: When the security deposit is taken (receipt included in the written lease); retain copy 2 years after tenancy ends
Give a written receipt for the deposit, included in the lease, that tells the tenant of the right to a move-in inspection (requested by certified mail within 15 days) and a move-out inspection, among other notices. Keep a copy for 2 years after the tenancy ends.
"The landlord shall give the tenant a receipt for the security deposit as specified in § 8–203.1 of this subtitle." mgaleg.maryland.gov
"The landlord shall retain a copy of the receipt for a period of 2 years after the termination of the tenancy, abandonment of the premises, or eviction of the tenant, as the case may be." mgaleg.maryland.gov
Notes: Md. Code, Real Property §8-203(c), §8-203.1. $25 liability for failing to give a receipt.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Register pre-1978 rental properties with MDE and renew by December 31 each year Verified
Deadline: Every year by December 31
Owners of pre-1978 rental properties must register them with the Maryland Department of the Environment and renew the registration on or before December 31 every year.
Who it covers: 'Affected property' = rental property built before 1950, and since Jan 1, 2015 built before 1978 (with exemptions such as certified lead-free). New owners register within 30 days of acquisition; update owner/manager info within 30 days of changes.
"On and after January 1, 2015, a property constructed before 1978 that contains at least one rental unit;" mgaleg.maryland.gov
"Renew the registration of the affected property on or before December 31 of each year or according to a schedule established by the Department by regulation;" mgaleg.maryland.gov
"An owner who first acquires affected property after December 1, 1995 shall register the affected property under § 6–811 of this subtitle within 30 days after the acquisition." mgaleg.maryland.gov
Notes: Environment §6-811, §6-812. MDE may set a different schedule by regulation; fees and MDE portal process not captured.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Lead risk reduction standard + inspection before each new tenant (pre-1978) Verified
Deadline: At each change in occupancy, before the next tenant moves in
Before each new tenant occupies a pre-1978 rental, meet the lead risk reduction standard (pass the lead-dust test after fixing chipping/peeling paint) and have the unit inspected to verify it.
"At each change in occupancy thereafter, before the next tenant occupies the property, the owner of an affected property shall satisfy the risk reduction standard" mgaleg.maryland.gov
"At each change in occupancy, an owner of an affected property shall have the property inspected to verify that the risk reduction standard specified in this section has been satisfied." mgaleg.maryland.gov
Notes: Environment §6-815. Exterior work may be delayed Nov 1-Apr 1 with a waiver. Owners must also respond within 30 days to tenant notices of defects (§6-819). Required tenant notices (e.g., 'Notice of Tenant's Rights', EPA pamphlet) under §6-820/6-823 were not snapshotted.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
60 days' written notice to terminate (term lease or month-to-month); 90 days year-to-year Verified
Deadline: At least 60 days before the lease ends (90 days for year-to-year tenancy)
To end a lease at its expiration (or a month-to-month tenancy), give written notice at least 60 days before it ends; 90 days for year-to-year tenancies.
Who it covers: Week-to-week: 7 days (written lease) / 21 days (no written lease). Lease may require longer notice, not shorter. Separate shorter rules for small landlords facing foreclosure (not in Baltimore City or Montgomery County).
"If the parties have a written lease for a stated term in excess of 1 week or a tenancy from month to month, 60 days before the expiration of the tenancy;" mgaleg.maryland.gov
"In the case of tenancies from year to year, including tobacco farm tenancies from year to year but excluding all other farm tenancies from year to year, 90 days before the expiration of the current year of the tenancy;" mgaleg.maryland.gov
Notes: Real Property §8-402(c). Local law can add (see Montgomery County, Baltimore City). No statewide rent-increase notice period captured.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction