Maryland Residential Lease Agreement

A complete, state-specific lease for a house, apartment or condo with every disclosure your state requires.

Free to fill & preview · $19 for the clean PDF + Word

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Maryland rules that this document follows

Security deposit limit1 month' rentSource: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)(1) (HB 1117, eff. 10/1/2024)
Deposit return deadline45 days after move-outSource: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(1)
Interest on depositRequired (see conditions)Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(1) (simple interest at 1.5% or U.S. Treasury yield, whichever greater; deposits over $50)
Late feesMax 5% of the rent due per periodSource: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3)
Landlord entry noticeNo statutory minimum (lease governs; reasonable notice)Source: No state statute (some counties, e.g., Montgomery, require notice)
Notice to end month-to-monthLandlord 60 days / Tenant 30 daysSource: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402(b)(3)
Rent increase rulesNo statewide cap; 90 days' notice for increases on month-to-month tenancies; Montgomery County and Takoma Park have rent stabilizationSource: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209 (as amended 2024); Montgomery County Code Ch. 29
Required disclosuresLead-Based Paint (pre-1978); Maryland Lead Risk Reduction Certificate; Landlord/Agent Identification; Security Deposit Receipt and Rights; Move-In Inspection Right; Ratio Utility Billing Disclosure; Habitability / Tenant Rights SummarySource: Maryland Code, Real Property Title 8 (Landlord and Tenant)

Rules current as of 2026-09-07. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Residential Lease Agreement in Maryland

A residential lease in Maryland should identify every adult tenant, describe the premises, state the term, the rent and how it is paid, the security deposit and how it will be returned, who pays which utilities, the rules on pets, smoking and subletting, and the disclosures Maryland law requires. This generator walks you through each of those items in order and drafts the clauses for you.

Before you start, gather: the legal names and mailing addresses of the landlord and all tenants, the property address, the move-in date, the rent amount and due day, the deposit amount and the bank where it will be held (some states require this), and whether the building was built before 1978 (federal lead-paint rule).

After you preview the document, download the PDF, have every adult tenant and the landlord sign (electronic signatures are valid), give each party a copy, and complete a move-in inspection checklist with photos. Keep the signed lease for at least four years after the tenancy ends.

Frequently asked questions

How much security deposit can a landlord charge in Maryland?

Maryland caps the security deposit at 1 month' rent (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)(1) (HB 1117, eff. 10/1/2024)). The generator warns you if you enter more.

When must the deposit be returned in Maryland?

Within 45 days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of deductions (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(1)).

Does this lease include the disclosures Maryland requires?

Yes. Section 14 inserts every statutory disclosure for Maryland (7 items, including the federal lead-paint notice for pre-1978 buildings) with its citation.

Is this lease legally binding once signed?

A written lease signed by landlord and all adult tenants is an enforceable contract in Maryland. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act and the state UETA. No notarization is required for a residential lease.

Can I use this for a month-to-month rental?

Yes — choose 'Month-to-month' in the Term step. The notice period is set to Maryland's statutory minimum.

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FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.