Free Maryland Lease Agreement Templates

Maryland has its own set of requirements for both landlords and tenants. These laws dictate the terms of the lease to provide guidance and protection. View the table below for the most relevant Maryland landlord-tenant laws.

Lease terms can vary depending on the property type and the duration of the contract. View the different types of Maryland leases, including commercial, vacation, and residential.

Maryland Standard Lease Agreement

Formalizes a rental agreement between a landlord and a tenant for residential property.

Maryland Month-to-Month Rental Agreement

Presents residents with the option for adaptable month-to-month living arrangements, free from the need of a long-term commitment.

Maryland Commercial Lease Agreement

Permits a business to rent a commercial property from a landlord.

Maryland Room Rental Agreement

Formalize a living arrangement by establishing a binding contract between the primary tenant and other occupants.

Maryland Sublease Agreement

Grants the subtenant the authority to rent either the entire property or a portion of it for a specified period.

Maryland Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement

Permits a renter to buy a property if they'd like to after their tenancy is over.

While Maryland does not have rent control laws, it’s best practice for landlords to charge reasonable rates. Rent due dates and late fees must be recorded in the written lease contract. Under MD Real Prop Code § 8-208, late fees cannot exceed 5% of the monthly rent, and there are no state-mandated grace periods.

Landlords in Maryland cannot charge tenants a security deposit that exceeds one month’s rent. The landlord must provide tenants with a receipt for the deposit. Once paid, the funds must be placed in an interest-bearing account within 30 days. This account must not be used for any other purpose.

At the end of the lease term, the landlord has 45 days to return the deposit to the tenant. If a landlord deducts funds to recover damages beyond normal wear and tear, they must record and communicate deductions to the tenant.

Maryland law requires landlords to maintain rental properties to ensure habitable conditions. Proper maintenance, cleaning, and utilities must be provided for tenant safety and comfort. If a landlord fails to make repairs, tenants can pursue their own remedies and deduct the cost from the rent. The landlord must give 24 hours’ notice of intent to enter the premises, except in the case of an emergency.

Disclosures provide additional information about the property’s condition and lease terms. Maryland requires landlords to provide the following lease disclosures:

• Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) Disclosure for landlords using a ratio utility billing system for one or more utilities
• Move-in/Move-out Checklist
• Security Deposit Receipt
• Landlord and Agent Identification
• Habitability Statement
• Lead-Based Paint Disclosure for properties built before 1978

At the end of the lease term, either party may terminate the agreement by following the proper procedures outlined in the lease. MD Real Prop Code §8–402 requires 60 days’ notice for month-to-month tenancies or 90 days’ notice for year-to-year contracts. After lease termination, landlords are not required to store personal property abandoned by the tenant.

Legal Templates’s free Maryland lease agreement offers a customizable form with state-compliant terms. Use our downloadable template, available in both PDF and Word formats, to create a lease agreement tailored to your specific needs.