A Maryland residential standard lease agreement is a contract between a landlord and tenant that details rental terms. It generally stipulates monthly rent due on the first, requires a security deposit equal to one month’s rent, and necessitates a tenant credential check via a rental application before signing.
Lease Length Considerations
- Holdover tenancy becomes week-to-week if weekly before and month-to-month in all other cases [1] .
- Leases lasting one year or less can be written or oral. For leases exceeding a year, a written agreement signed by the creator is necessary for enforceability. This ensures that longer-term leases are legally binding [2] .
Required Lease Disclosures
- Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) Disclosure
- Move-in/Move-out Checklist
- Security Deposit Receipt
- Identification
- Habitability
- Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
For more details on mandatory disclosures and relevant laws, visit our Maryland lease agreement page.
Security Deposit
Rent Payment
- Grace Period: There is no rent grace period for late rent payments. However, in certain areas of Maryland, such as Baltimore, Takoma Park, and unincorporated Montgomery County, landlords are required to offer a 10-day grace period for the payment of rent [5] .
- Maximum Late Fee: A late rent charge can amount to a maximum of 5% of the monthly rental fee [6] .
- NSF Fee: A landlord is permitted to impose a fee of up to $35 for a returned check [7] .
Landlord Resources
- Landlord-Tenant Laws – Title 8 (Landlord and Tenant)
- Handbook – Landlords and Tenants: Tips on Avoiding Disputes
