The Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights became law on July 1, 2025.

These are new protections that were put into place in 2024 but became law on July 1, 2025.

The Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights is currently 8 pages long, and can be found at dhcd.maryland.gov. Here is a link to the version that came into law on July 1, 2025.

The Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights is to be updated every June 1, and landlords are to attach them to every single lease in Maryland.

Please note, this tenants’ bill of rights is NOT a complete list of tenants’ rights in Maryland.

Here is a summary of the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights, thanks to the attorneys at Gordon Feinblatt LLC on a website called Lexology. Since I am not an attorney, I am going to post their direct summary below. Please contact an attorney if you are looking for legal information. Again, I am not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice.

Summary from attorneys Nicole M. Lacoste Folks and Saad Malik at Gordon Feinblatt LLC on a website called Lexology:

Application Fees and Screening

Landlords who rent five or more units cannot charge to any tenant more than $25 in application fees, unless accepting a tenant-provided screening report from the last 30 days. In those cases, no application fee may be charged at all.

Written Lease Requirements

If a landlord rents five or more units, a written lease for each residential unit is required by law. The lease must include:

  • Property condition disclosures
  • Utility and repair responsibilities
  • Security deposit receipt
  • Latest version of the Tenants’ Bill of Rights
  • Landlord or agent contact information

Certain clauses are prohibited—such as waivers of legal rights or shortened notice periods. Automatic renewal terms must be separately signed or acknowledged.

Notice Periods for Termination

The Bill of Rights sets standardized notice periods for both landlords and tenants.

Landlords must give no less than:

  • 60 days’ notice for month-to-month or fixed-term leases
  • 90 days’ notice for year-to-year tenancies

Tenants must give:

  • 30 days’ notice (most tenancies)
  • 90 days’ notice for year-to-year

Exceptions for such notice periods may apply for survivors of domestic violence and Baltimore City residents dependent on specific circumstances.

Rent and Increases

  • Late fees for the payment of rent may not exceed 5% of the amount of overdue rent;
  • Rent increases require at least 90 days’ written notice from landlord to tenant (unless otherwise limited further by local law);
  • Notice by landlord can be delivered electronically but only if the tenant consents to receiving electronic notices in writing;
  • If tenants pay utilities for the leased residence to the landlord, landlord must provide must provide tenant with copies of the bills no less than monthly.

Security Deposits

  • Typically capped at one month’s rent due at the time of landlord and tenant signing the lease agreement, though certain tenants may be charged up to two months;
  • Deposits must be held in an interest-bearing account, with receipts and deposit disclosures provided;
  • Return of deposit (with itemized deductions and interest) is due to tenant within 45 days of the end of the lease term or early termination if allowed under the lease agreement;
  • Tenants may accompany landlords on move-out inspections with no less than 15 days’ advance notice.

Maintenance and Habitability

Landlords must ensure that rental units are safe, habitable, and code-compliant before allowing a tenant to move into a rental unit. Throughout the term of the lease agreement, if serious conditions arise that threaten health or safety and aren’t addressed by the landlord in a reasonable time, tenants may:

  • Seek court remedies (including rent abatement)
  • File a rent escrow case
  • Potentially withhold rent under certain legal defenses

Eviction Procedures

Landlords cannot self-evict tenants. Formal court procedures are required, including:

  • 10-day notice for non-payment of rent before filing
  • Right to redeem (pay balance and court costs) unless the tenant has had 3+ judgments in the last 12 months
  • Right to legal representation for qualifying tenants

Constructive Eviction

If a landlord’s action or inaction renders a property unlivable, tenants may claim constructive eviction—ending the lease and potentially suing for damages.

Right of First Refusal

In 1–3 unit rental properties, tenants who have lived in the unit for at least 6 months must be given a right of first refusal by landlord before the property is sold to a third party (with certain exceptions).

Landlord Conduct and Entry

Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants for complaints, lawsuits, joining a tenants’ association, or contacting emergency services.

Starting October 1, 2025, landlords must:

Give no less than 24 hours’ written notice before entering a unit (except in emergencies)

Limit entry to Monday–Saturday, 7am to 7pm (except in emergencies)

Thank you to attorneys Nicole M. Lacoste Folks and Saad Malik at Gordon Feinblatt LLC on the website called Lexology for this breakdown/summary of the new Tenants’ Bill of Rights that came into law on July 1, 2025.

Please contact an attorney if you are looking for legal information. Again, I am not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice.