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: 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium

Baltimore City, MD landlord deadlines

City rules for Baltimore City, which add to Maryland statewide rules and federal rules. Official site: baltimorecity.gov.

Build a dated calendar for Baltimore City

Local rules (Baltimore City)

Register non-owner-occupied dwellings: within 10 days of transfer and every January 1 Verified

Deadline: Every year by January 1

File a registration statement with the Housing Commissioner for every non-owner-occupied dwelling within 10 days after acquiring it and every January 1 thereafter.

Applies to: any number of units, some owner-occupied buildings exempt · Layer: Baltimore City, MD · Topic: Rental registration and licensing

Who it covers: Every non-owner-occupied dwelling unit, occupied or vacant. Baltimore City Code Art. 13, Subtitle 4.

"requires every owner of a non-owner occupied dwelling unit, "whether occupied or vacant, whether it is producing revenue or not producing revenue, whether habitable or not habitable," to file a registration statement with the Housing Commissioner."
baltimorecity.gov

"This must be done within 10 days of any transfer of the property and every January 1st thereafter."
baltimorecity.gov

Notes: Adds to MD state law. Fee amounts for dwellings not captured.

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction

Rental dwelling license: expires 2 years from issuance; renewal needs passing third-party inspection and lead compliance Verified

Deadline: Every 2 years from the license issue date

Baltimore rentals must hold a rental license, which expires 2 years after issuance. Each new or renewal license requires current registration, a passing inspection by a city-registered state-licensed home inspector, and lead paint compliance.

Applies to: any number of units, some owner-occupied buildings exempt · Layer: Baltimore City, MD · Topic: Rental inspections and certificates

Who it covers: All non-owner-occupied rental properties. Inspection by a Maryland-licensed home inspector registered with DHCD (or passing Section 8 inspection); submit within 90 days of inspection for new registrations. Must be registered, pass inspection, comply with lead laws.

"Each rental dwelling license and rental dwelling renewal license issued under this subtitle expires 2 years from the date of issuance."
codes.baltimorecity.gov

"the premises have passed an inspection, as required by § 5-7"
codes.baltimorecity.gov

"the premises are in compliance with all Federal, State, and City laws and regulations governing lead paint;"
codes.baltimorecity.gov

"All non-owner-occupied properties in Baltimore City that are rental properties must be licensed to operate as a rental, in addition to being registered."
dhcd.baltimorecity.gov

Notes: Baltimore City Code Art. 13 §§5-6, 5-9 (codes.baltimorecity.gov). MD state lead registration (Dec 31) and turnover risk reduction also apply (see md/state.json). Note: the MD state 8-402 small-landlord foreclosure notice exception does not apply in Baltimore City.

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Maryland statewide rules that also apply

Maryland statewide rules
Rule	Deadline	Confidence
Return deposit plus interest within 45 days; itemized damages list by first-class mail	Within 45 days after move-out	high
Deposit into a Maryland interest-bearing escrow account within 30 days	Within 30 days after the lease starts	high
Written deposit receipt (in the lease) with required tenant-rights notices; keep 2 years	When the security deposit is taken (receipt included in the written lease); retain copy 2 years after tenancy ends	high
Register pre-1978 rental properties with MDE and renew by December 31 each year	Every year by December 31	high
Lead risk reduction standard + inspection before each new tenant (pre-1978)	At each change in occupancy, before the next tenant moves in	high
60 days' written notice to terminate (term lease or month-to-month); 90 days year-to-year	At least 60 days before the lease ends (90 days for year-to-year tenancy)	high

Federal rules that also apply

Federal rules (all states)
Rule	Deadline	Confidence
Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet before lease signing (pre-1978 housing)	Before the tenant is obligated under the lease (before signing / before accepting an offer to lease)	high
Signed lead disclosure attachment with lease; keep for 3 years	Keep the signed disclosure for at least 3 years from the lease start; the date shown is the earliest you may discard it	high
Report rental income/expenses on Schedule E with Form 1040	Due April 15, 2027 with your 2026 Form 1040; if that falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the next business day	medium
2026 estimated tax payment #1 due April 15, 2026	Due April 15, 2026	high
2026 estimated tax payment #2 due June 15, 2026	Due June 15, 2026	high
2026 estimated tax payment #3 due Sept. 15, 2026	Due September 15, 2026	high
2026 estimated tax payment #4 due Jan. 15, 2027	Due January 15, 2027	high
File and furnish Form 1099-NEC for 2026 contractor payments of $2,000+	Due January 31, 2027 (for 2026 payments); if that falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the next business day	high