Maryland Security Deposit Laws
Maryland caps most security deposits at one month's rent (with a narrow exception up to two months' rent only for tenants who qualify for utility assistance and whose lease requires them to pay utilities directly) and requires landlords to pay simple interest on deposits held for 6 months or more.
Key Rules
- Limit
- 1 month's rent (up to 2 months' rent only if the tenant qualifies for utility assistance and the lease requires direct utility payment to the landlord)
- Return Deadline
- 45 days after tenancy ends
- Interest Required
- Yes — simple interest at 1.5% per year for deposits held 6 months or more
- Itemization Required
- Yes — written itemized statement required
- Penalty For Wrongful Withholding
- Landlord liable for up to three times the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney fees
Some citations below have not been confirmed against their official source. Confirm current requirements with local legal aid or an attorney.
Applicable Statutes
Security deposit limit and return: deposit may not exceed the equivalent of 1 month's rent per dwelling unit (up to 2 months' rent only if the tenant qualifies for utility assistance through the Department of Human Services and the lease requires the tenant to pay utilities directly to the landlord). Landlord must return deposit within 45 days after tenancy ends, with itemized deductions.
Not confirmed against its source · checked
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203.1
Interest on security deposits: landlord must pay simple interest on deposits at a rate set by regulation (currently 1.5% per year for deposits held 6 months or more).
Not confirmed against its source · checked
Legal Aid Resources
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