A Maryland lease agreement is a legal document between a landlord and their tenant(s) that outlines the terms and conditions for renting property. Selecting a reliable tenant is an important task, so ensure you check your tenant’s rental and credit history to minimize risk when entering a lease agreement.
By Type (6)
Standard Lease Agreement
Formalizes a rental agreement between a landlord and a tenant for residential property.
Commercial Lease Agreement
Permits a business to rent a commercial property from a landlord.
Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
Permits a renter to buy a property if they'd like to after their tenancy is over.
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.
Sublease Agreement
Grants the subtenant the authority to rent either the entire property or a portion of it for a specified period.
Room Rental Agreement
Formalize a living arrangement by establishing a binding contract between the primary tenant and other occupants.
Laws
Overview
Rent Control: No.
Limit on Late Fees: Yes.
Late Fees in Rental Agreement: Yes.
Grace Period: No.
License Required for Landlord: Yes, but only in some counties.
Required Lease Disclosures
Maryland imposes specific requirements for landlords and tenants when executing a lease agreement. For example, Title 8, Code of Maryland requires the following:
- Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) Disclosure. The disclosure applies to landlords who use a ratio utility billing system for one or more utilities (§ 8-212.4).
- Move-in/Move-out Checklist. The landlord must notify the tenant of their inspection rights before move-in and at lease end. The tenant can be present during the inspection, which should occur within five days of the lease’s start and end (§ 8-203.1(a)).
- Security Deposit Receipt. The landlord must provide a receipt for the security deposit (§ 8-203.1).
- Identification. The name, address, and contact number of the landlord and anyone else authorized to accept notice or service of process on behalf of the landlord need to be included in the agreement (§ 8-210).
- Habitability. The agreement has to include a statement confirming that the property will be in a condition that permits habitation (§ 8-208).
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure. Applies to rental properties built before 1978 (Title 42 U.S. Code § 4852(d)).
Security Deposit
A landlord is allowed to require up to two months’ rent from a tenant for a security deposit (§ 8–203(b)(1)).
A landlord must return the security deposit to the tenant within 45 days of the termination or end date of the lease. Otherwise, they forfeit their right to withhold the security deposit, and a tenant is allowed to sue for three times the deposit amount and reasonable attorney’s fees.
Landlord Right of Entry
Although Maryland law does not require a landlord to give notice before entering the premises, it is highly recommended they do so (No statute).
Domestic Violence
A tenant may terminate the lease early in cases of sexual abuse, sexual assault, or domestic violence (§ 8-5A-02).
A landlord may request proof of such violence from tenants who are victims of abuse (§ 8-5A-03, § 8-5A-04).
Sample
The Maryland lease agreement template below defines all necessary rental terms.
