A Maryland Rental Application is a document that allows landlords and property owners to collect relevant information about prospective tenants and select reliable renters for a property.
State Laws
Maryland has many valuable resources landlords can use when screening new renters. Make sure to brush up on the legalities of all aspects, such as application fees, security deposits, or pet deposits, before offering a lease agreement in Maryland.
Application Fees
According to Maryland Real Property Code Section 8-213, you can charge rental application fees in Maryland but must use the fees to conduct applicant screenings. If you charge over $25, you must return any amount not used for a credit check or other part of screening.
Give the potential renter an itemized list of how you used the fee. If the fee was under $25, you do not have to refund it. This requirement does not apply to landlords who rent four or fewer rental units at one location or to seasonal or condominium rentals.
Security Deposits
Another common charge for prospective tenants is a security deposit. It needs to be placed in an FDIC-insured financial institution within Maryland, and you can only use the account for deposits.
You must pay interest if you hold the security deposit for more than six months. State law does allow you to keep all or part of the deposit money for unpaid rent or to pay for damages that exceed normal wear and tear. You have to give the remaining money back to the tenant within 45 days of the end of the tenancy.
Pet Deposits
State law allows landlords to charge a pet deposit but it cannot total more than two months’ rent. The fee does not apply to service pets and emotional support animals.
How To Conduct an Eviction Record Search
If you do not use a reusable tenant screening report that already contains eviction records, you can also check through the courts.
The state offers the Maryland Judiciary Case Search online tool. You will only need the applicant’s first and last name to search.
Other Landlord Resources
As you put together your rental application in Maryland, it is helpful to look over the state’s Fair Housing Act (Maryland State Government Code Section 20-702). This legislation outlines the state’s policy on discrimination and helps you not violate any of its requirements.
Another tool to use is the state Sex Offender Registry. It allows you to ensure prospective renters do not have a criminal history involving sex offenses and also lets you check the neighborhood so that you can alert new tenants if an offender lives in the area.
Sample
Below is a free, downloadable Maryland rental application example that you can print out and use to screen potential tenants. You can also create a customized application form in our document builder.
