Rent increases in Maryland

Before raising rent on a residential lease, a landlord must give written notice 90 days ahead for terms over 1 month, 60 days for terms over 1 week up to 1 month, and 7 days (written lease) or 21 days (no written lease) for terms of 1 week or less. The notice goes by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, or by email, text or tenant portal if the tenant chose electronic delivery. A landlord may not require that choice as a condition of accepting a lease application. (Real Prop. § 8-209(b))

• The notice must be in writing.

Earliest date the new rent can start, with rent due on the 1st, worked out from the Maryland rule above:

• For a month-to-month tenant of 1 year raising rent 5% or a month-to-month tenant of 3 years raising rent 12%: Friday, January 1, 2027
• For a week-to-week tenant raising rent 5%: Monday, November 23, 2026

No state statute says whether rent can rise during a fixed-term lease. Montgomery County bans mid-lease increases for rent-stabilized units. (Real Prop. § 8-209)

No state law bars local rent stabilization. The state notice law says it does not override local laws that require more notice or give tenants more protection. Montgomery County and Prince George's County have rent-stabilization laws. (Real Prop. § 8-209(c))

• Montgomery County: Units at least 23 years old (unless exempt) are rent-stabilized. Increases are capped at CPI-U + 3% or 6%, whichever is lower: 5.2% from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 (5.7% for 2025–26). Increases are allowed once every 12 months, only at lease renewal or a new lease, never mid-lease. All units, regulated or exempt, need 90 days' written notice by US mail or in person with a signed receipt. Units in Gaithersburg, Rockville, Takoma Park, Barnesville and Laytonsville are not covered by the county law.
• Prince George's County: The Permanent Rent Stabilization and Protection Act (2024) caps increases on regulated units at the lower of CPI-U + 3% or 6%: 5.7% for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Senior housing is capped at the lower of CPI-U or 4.5% (2.7%). Exemptions include units completed on or after Jan. 1, 2000 and units of individual landlords with 5 or fewer units in the county.
• Takoma Park: The city's own rent stabilization covers multi-family rental buildings and individual condo units, but not single-family houses, accessory apartments or duplexes when the owner lives in one unit. Total increases in any 12 months may not exceed the yearly allowance (CPI for the Washington/Baltimore region): 3% for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Two months' written notice is required. Landlords may seek a fair-return increase; subsidized and newly built properties may apply for an exemption.

A landlord may not arbitrarily raise rent or cut services because a tenant made a good-faith complaint, sued or testified, joined a tenants' group, or called police or emergency services. The court may award up to 3 months' rent plus attorney fees and costs. An action more than 6 months after the tenant's protected act is not treated as retaliatory, and relief requires the tenant to be current on rent. (Real Prop. § 8-208.1)

• § 8-209 does not apply when the landlord has instead given notice to end the tenancy under § 8-402(c)(2), which requires 60 days for month-to-month tenancies and written leases for a stated term over 1 week, and 90 days for year-to-year tenancies.
• § 8-209 was enacted by 2023 Md. Laws ch. 146 (HB 151), effective Oct. 1, 2023. A 2024 bill to bar increases after defective notice (HB 970) did not pass.
• No statewide cap limits the amount of a rent increase.

Security deposit

No more than 1 month's rent per unit, no matter how many tenants. Up to 2 months' rent is allowed if the tenant qualifies for state utility assistance, the lease requires the tenant to pay utilities directly to the landlord, and both agree in writing (§ 8-203(b)). Return deadline: 45 days after the tenancy terminates.

Tenant's notice to move out

30 days, ending with a rental period

Notice for unpaid rent

10 days (pay or move out)

How a written notice is delivered (eviction-notice rules)

The 10-day notice is provided when it is sent by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, affixed to the door of the premises, or, if the tenant elected it, sent by e-mail, text message or tenant portal with proof of transmission (§ 8-401(c)(2)).

Notice for other lease violations

30 days (notice to vacate, no right to fix)

Small claims court limit

$5,000 — where most deposit and rent disputes are filed.

Repairs

Time to repair: 30 days (presumed reasonable). Repair and deduct: not addressed by state law; withholding rent: allowed with limits.

Deposit kept wrongly

Withholding without a reasonable basis: up to 3 times the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney's fees (§ 8-203(e)(4)). Charging over the cap: up to 3 times the excess plus fees. No written receipt: $25 (§ 8-203.1).

Lawful reasons to end a lease early

Domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; Military service (state law); Age, illness or disability

• Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402 Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• 2023 HB 151 (Ch. 146) – Notification of Rent Increases Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Montgomery County DHCA – Rent Stabilization Increases and Limitations Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Montgomery County DHCA – Rent Stabilization (coverage) Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• Prince George's County DPIE – PRSA Retrieved October 15, 2026.
• City of Takoma Park – Rent Stabilization (Rent Increase Allowance) Retrieved October 15, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 15, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; for a dispute, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.