Tenant Rights Maryland: What You Can and Can't Do as a Renter

When you rent a home in Tenant Rights Maryland, the legal protections that define what renters can expect from landlords in the state of Maryland. Also known as Maryland rental laws, these rules cover everything from security deposits to sudden rent hikes—and they’re not optional for landlords to ignore. Unlike some states, Maryland doesn’t let landlords raise rent anytime they want. There’s a notice requirement, limits on how much they can increase it, and rules about when they can kick you out—even if your lease is up.

Many renters don’t realize that Maryland rental license, a mandatory registration system for landlords who rent out properties in Maryland. Also known as landlord registration, it means your landlord has to prove they’re following state rules before they can collect rent. If they haven’t registered, you might not have to pay rent until they do. And if they try to evict you without a license, you can fight it in court. This isn’t a loophole—it’s the law. The same goes for landlord tenant laws Maryland, the full set of statutes governing how landlords and renters interact in the state. Also known as Maryland landlord-tenant code, it forces landlords to fix major problems like broken heat, leaking roofs, or mold within a reasonable time. You can’t just move out because the AC died. But you can withhold rent—after giving written notice and waiting 30 days—if they refuse to fix it.

And if your landlord tries to raise your rent by $300 next month? In Maryland, that’s not automatic. They need to give you at least 60 days’ notice for month-to-month leases, and they can’t raise rent during a fixed-term lease unless the contract says so. You’re not powerless. You can negotiate, file a complaint with your county housing office, or even join a tenant union. These aren’t just ideas—they’re tools used every day by renters in Baltimore, Prince George’s County, and Annapolis.

What you’ll find below are real cases, real rules, and real advice from people who’ve been through it: how to get your security deposit back, what to do when your landlord enters without notice, why some rental licenses get denied, and how to avoid being trapped in a bad lease. These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re the questions Maryland renters ask every week—and the answers that actually work.