Maryland Landlord Guide — Get Your Action Plan in 60 Seconds

Tenant behind on rent? Damage beyond wear and tear? Holding over after the lease ended? Describe the situation in your own words and get a plain-English breakdown, severity rating, step-by-step next steps, and ready-to-send notices — specific to Maryland law.

Maryland landlord law, at a glance

• Security deposit: you must return it within 45 days of move-out, with an itemized statement for deductions.
• Tenant entry: No state law sets a minimum notice period — check your lease, which may require one.
• Eviction: you must go through the courts. Self-help eviction is illegal.

Md. Real Property §8-203 requires the deposit plus interest and an accounting within 45 days. There is no statewide fixed entry-notice period and no statewide late-fee grace period — though Montgomery County adds a 10-day rule and Prince George's County a 5-day rule locally. Deposits must be held in a federally insured account and accrue interest for the tenant. The state's Tenant Bill of Rights (2025) says eviction needs a court judgment of possession plus a warrant of restitution, and the Attorney General warns that lockouts or utility shutoffs without a court order can bring criminal prosecution plus damages.

Free legal help in Maryland

• Maryland Legal Aid — (888) 465-2468 — Statewide free civil legal services; eviction-prevention programs.
• Pro Bono Resource Center — Tenant & Consumer Hotline — 443-703-3053 — Free legal information for Maryland tenants facing eviction; Mon–Fri 10am–4pm.
• People's Law Library of Maryland — Statewide legal-services directory and court help resources.
• Call or text 211 for free local referrals.

Common questions