Maryland Tenant Rights: What You Can and Can't Do as a Renter

When you rent a home in Maryland tenant rights, the legal protections given to renters in Maryland to ensure fair treatment by landlords. These rights cover everything from how much notice a landlord must give before entering your home, to how long they have to return your security deposit after you move out. Unlike some states, Maryland doesn’t let landlords walk in anytime they want—even if they own the property. Your right to privacy isn’t optional. It’s written into state law.

Landlord entry rules, the legal conditions under which a landlord can enter a rental unit in Maryland are strict. They must give you at least 24 hours’ notice for non-emergencies, and only for specific reasons like repairs, inspections, or showing the unit to new tenants. No surprise visits. No "just checking in." If they show up without notice and you’re home, you can legally refuse them entry. Security deposit Maryland, the amount a landlord can hold back after a tenant moves out, and the timeline for returning it is capped at two months’ rent. And they have to return it within 45 days after you leave—with a written itemized list if they keep any part of it. Skip that list? You can sue for up to three times the amount wrongfully withheld.

These aren’t just suggestions. They’re enforceable. And they’re not the only protections you have. Maryland law also bans retaliation—like raising your rent or kicking you out—just because you complained about unsafe conditions. It requires landlords to keep units habitable: working heat, plumbing, and structural safety. If they don’t, you can withhold rent or repair it yourself and deduct the cost. And if your landlord tries to change the locks or turn off your utilities to force you out? That’s illegal. You can call the police, file a complaint with the Maryland Attorney General’s office, or go to court.

What you’ll find below are real cases, real rules, and real steps renters have taken to protect themselves. From how to document a landlord’s illegal entry, to what to say when they refuse to return your deposit, these posts give you the exact language and legal references to use. No fluff. No theory. Just what works in Maryland courts and housing offices right now.