Maryland Residential Lease Agreement

• Max 1 month's rent per unit since October 1, 2024 (2 months before; up to 2 months only in a narrow utility-assistance case agreed in writing). Within 45 days after the tenancy ends the landlord must return the deposit with simple interest (on deposits of $50 or more held at least 6 months), less proper deductions, with an itemized list of damages and costs sent by first-class mail (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203).

Reviewed 5 Oct 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203

Reviewed 5 Oct 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203

• Written notice of intent to terminate given 60 days before the expiration of the tenancy (also applies to written leases for a stated term in excess of 1 week).

Quoted from the source: “or a tenancy from month to month, 60 days before the expiration of the tenancy”

Exceptions:

• Foreclosure-purchaser situations (outside Baltimore City/Montgomery County and landlords with 5+ units): at least 30 days for month-to-month/week-to-week.

Reviewed 27 Sep 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-402(c)(2)(i)

• 7 days before expiration of the tenancy if the parties have a written lease.
• 21 days before expiration of the tenancy if the parties do NOT have a written lease.

Quoted from the source: “If the parties have a written lease, 7 days ... If the parties do not have a written lease, 21 days”

Reviewed 27 Sep 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-402(c)(2)(iii)

• To bring a tenant-holding-over action after a written lease for a stated term expires, landlord must have given written notice of intent to terminate 60 days before expiration of the tenancy (90 days year-to-year; 7/21 days week-to-week).

Quoted from the source: “or a tenancy from month to month, 60 days before the expiration of the tenancy”

Reviewed 27 Sep 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-402(b), (c)

• No statewide just-cause requirement; DHCD Tenants' Bill of Rights (eff. 2025-10-01) describes only notice periods for non-renewal.

Quoted from the source: “the landlord must give you at least 60 days written notice”

Exceptions:

• Local ordinances (e.g.

Reviewed 27 Sep 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-402; DHCD Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights

• Written notice of intent to file a claim in District Court; tenant may cure within 10 days after the notice is provided.
• Notice must be in the form created by the Maryland Judiciary (DC-CV-115).
• Complaint must state and affirm the date the notice was provided (2024 ch. 124 amendment).

Quoted from the source: “intent to file a claim ... if the tenant does not cure within 10 days after the written notice is provided”

Reviewed 27 Sep 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-401(c)

• Lease must provide that the landlord may repossess the premises prior to expiration for breach.
• 30 days' written notice that the tenant is in violation of the lease and the landlord desires to repossess.
• Court must find the breach 'substantial and warrants an eviction'.

Quoted from the source: “The landlord has given the tenant 30 days' written notice that the tenant is in violation”

Reviewed 27 Sep 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-402.1(a)

• Behavior by the tenant or a person on the property with the tenant's consent that demonstrates a clear and imminent danger of serious harm to self, other tenants, the landlord, landlord's property or representatives, or any other person on the property.

Quoted from the source: “the landlord has given the tenant or person in possession 14 days' written notice”

Reviewed 27 Sep 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-402.1(a)(1)(i)2

• Non-payment notice (§8-401(c)): first-class mail with certificate of mailing, affixing to the door of the premises, or—if elected by the tenant—e-mail, text message or electronic tenant portal; breach notice (§8-402.1): sent by first-class mail; §8-402 termination notice: 'written notice', method unspecified.

Quoted from the source: “Sent by first-class mail, certificate of mailing; Affixed to the door of the premises; or If elected by the tenant, sent by electronic delivery”

Reviewed 27 Sep 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-401(c)(1)(ii); §8-402.1(a)(1)(ii); §8-402(c)

• Mandatory Judiciary form DC-CV-115 'Notice of Intent to File a Complaint for Summary Ejectment (Failure to Pay Rent)' (Rev. 10/2024) for non-payment; it includes Access to Counsel, rental-assistance and Court Help Center statements.
• §8-401(c)(1)(ii): notice 'shall be in a form created by the Maryland Judiciary'.

Quoted from the source: “shall be in a form created by the Maryland Judiciary”

Exceptions:

• No mandatory form found for §8-402.1 breach notices or §8-402 termination notices.

Reviewed 27 Sep 2026 · Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-401(c)(1)(ii); Md. Judiciary form DC-CV-115