On this page
Make your Maryland lease
Fill in what you know (everything is optional). Blank fields print as lines to fill in by hand. Then print the lease or save it as a PDF.
Everything you type stays in your browser. Nothing is sent to us or stored. This template is a starting point, not legal advice: state and local law can require different terms or extra disclosures.
Maryland Residential Lease Agreement
1. Parties
This Residential Lease Agreement (the "Lease") is between ("Landlord") and ("Tenant"). If more than one person signs as Tenant, each of them is fully responsible for all of Tenant's obligations under this Lease.
2. Property
Landlord rents to Tenant the residence at (the "Property"), including (parking, storage, appliances or furniture included, if any).
3. Term
This Lease begins on and ends on . If Tenant stays after the end date with Landlord's written consent, the tenancy continues from month to month on the same terms unless the parties sign a new lease or the law where the Property is located provides otherwise.
4. Rent
Tenant will pay rent of per month, in advance, on or before the day of each month, by .
If this Lease starts on a day other than the rent due day, rent for the first partial month is , calculated by dividing the monthly rent by the number of days in that month and multiplying by the number of days Tenant has the Property.
5. Late charges and returned payments
If rent is not received in full within days after it is due, Tenant will pay a late charge of . Tenant will pay for any payment returned unpaid by the bank. No late charge or fee will be more than the law where the Property is located allows.
6. Security deposit
Tenant will pay a security deposit of before moving in. Landlord will hold, apply and return the deposit as required by the law where the Property is located. After Tenant moves out, Landlord will return the deposit, less any lawful deductions with a written itemized list, within the time that law requires. Tenant may not use the deposit as the last month's rent without Landlord's written consent.
7. Occupants and use
Only Tenant and these people may live at the Property: . Tenant will use the Property only as a private residence, follow all laws, and not disturb neighbors.
8. Utilities
Tenant will pay for these utilities and services: . Landlord will pay for all other utilities and services, if any, that serve the Property.
9. Pets
Pets allowed (describe, or write "none"): Pet deposit, if any: . This does not limit assistance animals that Landlord must allow under fair housing law.
10. Smoking
Smoking rules:
11. Maintenance and repairs
Tenant will keep the Property clean and safe, use appliances and fixtures properly, and promptly report any needed repairs to Landlord in writing. Landlord will make repairs the law requires. Tenant will pay for damage caused by Tenant, other occupants or guests, beyond normal wear and tear.
12. Alterations and locks
Tenant will not paint, make alterations, or add or change locks without Landlord's written consent.
13. Landlord entry
Landlord may enter the Property at reasonable times to inspect, make repairs or show it, after giving Tenant at least hours' notice, or any longer notice the law requires. Landlord may enter without notice in an emergency.
14. Subletting and assignment
Tenant will not sublet the Property or assign this Lease without Landlord's written consent.
15. Moving out
When this Lease ends, Tenant will leave the Property clean and in the same condition as at move-in except for normal wear and tear, return all keys, and give Landlord a forwarding address in writing.
16. Security deposit receipt (Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-203 and 8-203.1)
Received from Tenant as a security deposit: . This receipt notifies Tenant of: (1) the right to have the unit inspected by Landlord in Tenant's presence to make a written list of existing damage, if Tenant asks by certified mail within 15 days of occupancy; (2) the right to be present at the move-out inspection if Tenant notifies Landlord by certified mail at least 15 days before moving of the intention to move, the moving date and the new address; (3) Landlord's obligation to inspect within 5 days before or after the stated moving date; (4) Landlord's obligation to notify Tenant in writing of the inspection date; (5) Tenant's right to receive by first-class mail, within 45 days after the tenancy ends, a written list of charges against the deposit and the actual costs; (6) Landlord's obligation to return any unused portion by first-class mail within 45 days after the tenancy ends; and (7) that failure of the landlord to comply with the security deposit law may result in the landlord being liable to the tenant for a penalty of up to 3 times the security deposit withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
The deposit is no more than one month's rent. Landlord will keep it in an interest-bearing account used only for security deposits at a federally insured institution's Maryland branch, deposited within 30 days, and will return it within 45 days after the tenancy ends with simple interest as the statute sets, less damages rightfully withheld.
17. Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights
☐ A copy of the most current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights published by the Department of Housing and Community Development is attached.
18. Condition, utilities and repairs (8-208(c))
The premises will be made available in a condition permitting habitation, with reasonable safety. Heat, gas, electricity, water and repairs: Landlord is responsible for ; Tenant is responsible for .
19. Late payment (8-208(d))
Any late charge will not exceed 5% of the unpaid rent due for the rental period that was late.
20. Renewal
☐ This Lease does not renew automatically. ☐ This Lease renews automatically unless notice is given days before the end of the term. Tenant's initials agreeing to automatic renewal: .
21. Disclosures
Was the Property built before 1978? If yes, the federal lead-based paint disclosure, signed by both parties, is attached, and Tenant received the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.
Other disclosures or addenda attached:
22. Notices
Notices to Landlord go to: . Notices to Tenant go to the Property address, or to any other address Tenant gives Landlord in writing.
23. Governing law and entire agreement
This Lease is governed by the law of Maryland, where the Property is located. If any part of this Lease is invalid or conflicts with that law, that part is limited to what the law allows and the rest of the Lease stays in effect. This Lease, with any attached addenda, is the entire agreement. Any change must be in writing and signed by Landlord and Tenant.
24. Additional terms
Signatures
This Maryland lease agreement template puts the security deposit receipt, with all seven required notices, inside the lease, adds the Tenants' Bill of Rights, the habitability and utilities statements and an initialed auto-renewal choice, and warns you if the deposit tops one month's rent or a late fee tops 5%.
Maryland's one-month deposit limit
A Maryland landlord "may not impose a security deposit in excess of the equivalent of 1 month’s rent per dwelling unit, regardless of the number of tenants" (Real Property 8-203(b)). Charging more lets the tenant recover "up to three times the extra amount charged." And the lease cannot require more than the deposit and the first month's rent to move in (8-208(d)(11)).
Worked example: $1,700 a month
- Largest deposit: $1,700; most due at signing: $3,400 (deposit plus first month).
- Largest late fee: 5% of $1,700 = $85.
- Interest after two years, if the 1.5% floor applies: $1,700 x 1.5% x 2 = $51. When the 1-year Treasury rate on the first business day of the year is higher, use it instead (8-203(e)).
Computed from 8-203 and 8-208: simple interest, not compounded, accruing monthly, owed only on deposits of $50 or more held at least 6 months (8-203(e)(3)).
Maryland lease rules at a glance
| Rule | Maryland | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit limit | 1 month's rent per unit (up to 2 months only for a qualifying utility-assistance tenant) | 8-203(b) |
| Receipt | In the written lease, with the seven notices 8-203.1 lists; $25 if missing | 8-203.1; (c) |
| Holding it | Interest-bearing Maryland account, deposited within 30 days | 8-203(d) |
| Return | Within 45 days with simple interest at the greater of the 1-year Treasury rate or 1.5%; itemized list by first-class mail | 8-203(e); (g) |
| Late fee | No more than 5% of the unpaid rent | 8-208(d)(3) |
| Due at signing | No more than the deposit plus first month's rent | 8-208(d)(11) |
| Lease must include | Habitability statement, utilities and repair duties, the receipt, the Tenants' Bill of Rights | 8-208(c) |
| Automatic renewal | Set apart and initialed by the tenant, or unenforceable | 8-208(e) |
| Landlord's notice to end | 60 days before expiration for terms over 1 week and month to month | 8-402(c) |
From the Annotated Code of Maryland, Real Property Article, on mgaleg.maryland.gov, read November 2, 2026. Counties such as Montgomery and Baltimore City add their own rules. A template, not legal advice.
What a Maryland lease must say
A Maryland lease must include a habitability statement, "The landlord’s and the tenant’s specific obligations as to heat, gas, electricity, water, and repair of the premises," the deposit receipt, and "A copy of the most current version of the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights" from DHCD (8-208(c)). Landlords who offer five or more units must use a written lease at all (8-208(a)). Banned clauses include late fees over 5%, jury trial waivers and requiring the tenant to accept rent increase notices by electronic delivery (8-208(d)).
How to use this MD lease agreement template
- Set the deposit at no more than one month's rent and fill in the receipt line.
- Attach the current Tenants' Bill of Rights.
- Write who handles heat, gas, electricity, water and repairs.
- Choose whether the lease renews automatically, and have the tenant initial that choice.
- At move-out, mail the itemized list and refund with interest within 45 days using the deposit return letter.
Keep a record of every rent payment and give a receipt for cash, as Maryland requires (8-208.3); our rent receipt template works for that. The general version is our lease agreement template.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum security deposit in Maryland?
One month's rent per unit, regardless of the number of tenants. A deposit up to two months' rent is allowed only for a tenant who qualifies for utility assistance and pays utilities to the landlord, by written agreement.
How long does a Maryland landlord have to return a deposit?
45 days after the tenancy ends, with simple interest at the greater of the 1-year Treasury rate or 1.5% a year, and an itemized list of any damages by first-class mail.
What is the late fee limit in Maryland?
A lease may not charge more than 5% of the unpaid rent for the late period. For weekly rent, $3 a week and $12 a month.
What must a Maryland lease include?
A habitability statement, the landlord's and tenant's duties for heat, gas, electricity, water and repairs, a security deposit receipt, and the current Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights.
How much notice must a Maryland landlord give to end a lease?
60 days before the end of a month-to-month tenancy or a written lease for a term longer than one week, with exceptions in the statute.