What Is the New Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law in 2024? Key Changes You Need to Know

Starting in 2024, Maryland changed how landlords and tenants interact. These aren’t small tweaks. They’re full updates to the state’s landlord-tenant law that affect everything from security deposits to eviction notices. If you rent property in Maryland-whether you own it or live in it-you need to know what’s different. Ignoring these rules can cost you money, time, or even your right to keep renting.

Security Deposits Got a Major Restriction

Before 2024, landlords in Maryland could collect up to two months’ rent as a security deposit. Now, the limit is just one month. That’s it. No exceptions. Even if you think your tenant might damage the property, you can’t ask for more. This rule applies to all residential leases signed or renewed after January 1, 2024.

And it’s not just about the amount. Landlords must now return the deposit within 45 days after the lease ends. That’s 15 days faster than before. If you don’t, you could owe the tenant double the deposit amount plus court costs. There’s no gray area. No ‘I was busy’ excuse. You have 45 days, period.

You also have to give a written itemized list of any deductions. No vague phrases like ‘cleaning fee’ or ‘general wear.’ You must list exactly what was damaged, how much it cost to fix, and include receipts. If you can’t prove it, you lose the deduction.

Eviction Notices Got Longer and Clearer

Evicting a tenant in Maryland now takes longer-and you can’t cut corners. For nonpayment of rent, you must give a 14-day notice before filing for eviction. Before 2024, it was seven days. That extra week gives tenants more time to pay or negotiate.

For other violations-like noise complaints or unauthorized pets-you need a 30-day notice. And you can’t just hand them a note. The notice must be in writing, clearly state the violation, and tell them how to fix it. If they fix it within the time, you can’t evict them. That’s new. Landlords used to be able to evict even if the problem was fixed. Now, you have to accept the fix.

Also, you can’t lock out a tenant or turn off utilities to force them out. That’s illegal. If you do, you can be fined up to $5,000 per violation and face a civil lawsuit.

Right to Repair and Rent Withholding

Tenants now have a legal right to fix serious problems themselves-and deduct the cost from rent. This applies only to conditions that violate the warranty of habitability: no heat in winter, broken plumbing, mold, pest infestations, or a roof that leaks.

Here’s how it works: The tenant must first give you written notice of the problem and give you 30 days to fix it. If you don’t, they can hire a licensed contractor to fix it. Then they can deduct the cost from their next rent payment, up to one month’s rent or half the repair cost-whichever is less.

You can’t retaliate. That means no raising rent, threatening eviction, or refusing to renew the lease just because they used this right. If you do, the tenant can sue you for up to three months’ rent plus attorney fees.

Lead Paint Rules Are Tighter

If your rental was built before 1978, you’ve always had to disclose lead paint. But in 2024, Maryland made it harder to skip the rules. You must now provide a certified lead-safe inspection report every five years. That report must be filed with the Maryland Department of Health and given to every new tenant before they sign the lease.

If you don’t, you can’t collect rent. That’s right. Courts can order you to return all rent paid since the last inspection. Plus, you can be fined $1,000 per violation per day.

And if you’re doing renovations that disturb paint, you must use a certified lead-safe contractor. DIY fixes won’t cut it anymore. The state now tracks this through the Lead Paint Certification Registry.

Lease Renewal Notices Must Be Given Earlier

Landlords must now give tenants at least 60 days’ notice before raising rent or not renewing a lease. Before, it was 30 days. That gives tenants more time to find a new place or negotiate.

If you don’t give notice on time, the lease automatically renews under the same terms. You can’t suddenly hike rent or kick them out. You have to wait until the next lease term to make changes-and even then, you still need 60 days’ notice.

This rule applies to all leases, month-to-month or fixed-term. No exceptions. Even if you’ve had the same tenant for 10 years, you still have to follow this.

Prohibited Clauses in Leases

Some lease terms are now illegal in Maryland. You can’t include clauses that:

• Require tenants to waive their right to sue you
• Force tenants to pay for repairs that are your legal responsibility
• Allow you to enter the property without 24 hours’ notice (except in emergencies)
• Charge late fees higher than 5% of the monthly rent
• Require tenants to buy renter’s insurance (you can ask, but you can’t make it a condition)

If you include any of these in your lease, the whole clause is void. The tenant doesn’t have to follow it. And if you try to enforce it, they can sue you for up to $1,000 per violation.

Registration and Inspection Requirements

All rental properties in Maryland must now be registered with the local jurisdiction. This isn’t new-but in 2024, the state started enforcing it strictly. If you don’t register your rental, you can’t legally collect rent. Period.

Registration must be renewed every two years. You’ll need to provide proof of property taxes paid, a current certificate of occupancy, and a signed statement that the property meets housing code standards. Some counties also require a safety inspection before approval.

Fines for unregistered rentals start at $500 per month and keep rising. In Baltimore County, unregistered landlords have been hit with fines over $10,000 after just six months of noncompliance.

What This Means for Landlords

If you’re a landlord in Maryland, these changes mean you need to update your lease agreements, review your deposit handling, and make sure your properties are registered and inspected. The state isn’t just asking you to comply-they’re watching. Inspectors are now conducting random checks, and tenants can file complaints online through the Maryland Attorney General’s portal.

Many landlords are hiring property managers just to keep up. But you don’t have to. You just need to be organized. Keep records. Use certified mail for notices. Save receipts. Don’t assume your old lease form still works. The law changed. Your paperwork must change too.

What This Means for Tenants

If you’re a tenant, you have more power now. You can fix major problems yourself and take money from rent. You can’t be evicted without proper notice. Your deposit is capped, and you’ll get it back faster. You don’t have to pay for repairs you didn’t cause.

But you still have responsibilities. You must give proper notice before moving out. You must pay rent on time. And you must report problems in writing. If you don’t, you lose your right to repair or withhold rent.

Know your rights. Keep copies of everything. If your landlord breaks the law, you can file a complaint with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. They’ll investigate-and if they find a violation, they can force the landlord to pay you back.

Next Steps for Landlords and Tenants

Landlords should review their lease agreements immediately. Update them to remove any illegal clauses. Check your security deposit handling. Make sure you’re registered with your county. Schedule inspections if you have an older property.

Tenants should keep copies of all communication. If you’ve had a repair issue, send a written notice. If your deposit was withheld without receipts, file a complaint. You have rights-and now, the law backs them up.

The 2024 changes aren’t about making life harder. They’re about making it fairer. Landlords who follow the rules won’t be punished. Tenants who know their rights won’t be pushed around. The system is balanced now. You just have to stay informed.