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Maryland room rental agreement
Written for Maryland law, checked October 1, 2026 General information, not legal advice
Rentari offers a general room-rental agreement form, but it is not tailored to Maryland or every local rule. Review the room, shared spaces, occupancy requirements, and applicable Maryland and city rules before using a form. The state table below covers selected deposit and entry rules, not every room-rental requirement.
Maryland rules that apply
- Security deposit limit
- 1 month's rent
- per unit; up to 2 months in one utility assistance case
- Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)
- Entry notice
- 24 hours
- written, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday
- Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221(b), (c)
Security deposit limit
A Maryland landlord may not charge a security deposit of more than one month's rent per dwelling unit, no matter how many tenants live there. A security deposit is any payment meant to protect the landlord against nonpayment of rent or damage, and it includes last month's rent paid in advance.
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(a), (b)
More detail (4)
- You may charge up to two months' rent if the tenant has qualified for utility assistance through the Department of Human Services, the lease has the tenant pay for utility service directly to you, and you both agree in writing to the deposit amount. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)(2)
- A tenant charged more than the limit may recover up to three times the extra amount, plus reasonable attorney's fees. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)(3)
- A lease may not require the tenant to pay more than the security deposit and the first month's rent to start the lease and move in. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(11)
- You may not require a tenant to buy a surety bond in place of a deposit, and you do not have to accept one; the section sets separate rules when a tenant buys a bond instead of paying all or part of the deposit. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(i)
The Rentari Maryland lease states the deposit and says all security, including any pet deposit and last month's rent paid in advance, may not exceed one month's rent.
Landlord entry
Before entering for repairs, inspections, showings or the other purposes the law lists, you must give the tenant written notice at least 24 hours ahead, stating the date, approximate time and specific purpose, and you may enter only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, unless the tenant agrees in writing to another time.
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221(a)-(c)
More detail (4)
- Deliver the notice by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing (if delivered at least 24 hours ahead), by paper notice on the door, or by email, text or tenant portal if the tenant chose electronic delivery, with proof of transmission. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221(c)(3), (c)(4)
- The tenant may agree in writing to entry on less than 24 hours' notice, and no notice is needed in an emergency that threatens the property or anyone's safety. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221(b)(2), (c)(5)
- A court can order you to stop and award damages for unlawful entry or repeated improper demands for entry, and you are responsible for agents acting at your direction. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221(d), (e)
- A tenant who reports a housing code violation must give you access within 24 hours after notifying you. Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-221(f)