Maryland rent increase law

You must tell the tenant in writing before raising the rent: at least 90 days ahead for a tenancy with a term of more than one month, 60 days for a term of more than one week up to one month (such as month-to-month), and for a term of one week or less, 7 days with a written lease or 21 days without one.

Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209(b)

• Send the notice by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, or by email, text or tenant portal if the tenant chose electronic delivery and you get proof of transmission. You may not make electronic delivery a condition of accepting an application, and a lease may not require it. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209(b)(2) Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(9)
• The rule does not apply once you have given written notice to end the tenancy under the termination section. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209(a)(2)
• Local laws that require more notice or give tenants more protection still apply. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209(c) See Rent control and local rules on the Maryland page

Maryland has no statewide cap on rent increases. Selected official rent-stabilization guidance for Montgomery County, Prince George's County and Takoma Park is summarized below. Other local requirements remain unreviewed; check the jurisdiction and property coverage.

Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209.1

• The state law on local rent stabilization reporting says it does not itself authorize a local limit on rent increases for a current tenant. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209.1(e)
• The state rent increase notice rule leaves in place any local law that requires more notice. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-209(c) See Rent increase notice on the Maryland page

You may not bring or threaten an eviction, raise rent or cut services arbitrarily, or end a periodic tenancy because a tenant made a good faith complaint to you or a public agency, sued or testified against you, joined a tenants' organization, or because someone called police or emergency services.

Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1(a)

• The tenant can raise retaliation as a defense or sue; a court can award up to three months' rent plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs, and a tenant who claims retaliation in bad faith can owe you the same. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1(c)
• The tenant must be current on rent to get relief, unless rent is being withheld under the lease, the rent escrow law or a local law. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1(d)
• An action taken more than six months after the tenant's protected act may not be treated as retaliatory. There is no presumption of retaliation inside the six months. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1(e)