🏠 MARYLAND · SECURITY DEPOSIT LAW
Security deposits in Maryland
In Maryland, Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 gives your landlord 45 days after the tenancy ends to return your deposit or send an itemized statement of what was withheld.
The deposit itself is capped at 1 month's rent. If the landlord, without a reasonable basis, does not return the deposit with interest within 45 days, you can sue for up to three times the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney fees (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(4)).
The Maryland statute
VERIFIED PRIMARY SOURCE
§ Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203
Within 45 days after the end of the tenancy the landlord must return the security deposit together with the simple interest that has accrued (§ 8-203(e)(1)). A landlord who, without a reasonable basis, fails to return any part of the deposit plus interest within those 45 days is liable to the tenant for up to THREEFOLD the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney’s fees (§ 8-203(e)(4)). A tenant who was evicted or ejected, or who abandoned the premises, must demand the deposit in writing by first-class mail within 45 days of that event. Verified against primary statute text (mgaleg.maryland.gov) 2026-08-27.
Read the Maryland source text →Maryland deadlines at a glance
| Rule | What Maryland requires |
|---|---|
| Deadline to return or itemize | 45 days after the tenancy ends |
| Maximum deposit | 1 month's rent |
| If the landlord misses the deadline | If the landlord, without a reasonable basis, does not return the deposit with interest within 45 days, you can sue for up to three times the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney fees (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(4)). |
| Governing statute | Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 |
The one-month cap was set by the Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 and applies from October 1, 2024; before that the cap was 2 months' rent. Every figure here was read from the Maryland statute text, not a secondary summary. Verified against the primary source →
What security deposits law covers in Maryland
The 45 days clock in MarylandMd. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 sets Maryland's deadline at 45 days from the end of the tenancy. The one-month cap was set by the Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 and applies from October 1, 2024; before that the cap was 2 months' rent.
Maryland caps the deposit at 1 month's rentA Maryland landlord may not demand more than 1 month's rent as a security deposit under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203. A deposit collected above the cap is recoverable even if you agreed to it in the lease.
Itemization is the condition of keeping anythingWithholding any part of the deposit in Maryland requires a written, itemized statement within the 45 days window. A lump-sum "cleaning and repairs" line is the kind of entry that fails the statute — and ordinary wear and tear is not deductible.
What missing the deadline costs in MarylandIf the landlord, without a reasonable basis, does not return the deposit with interest within 45 days, you can sue for up to three times the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney fees (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(4)). Whether a remedy applies can turn on the dates, so keep proof of the day you moved out and the day you gave a forwarding address.
What to do in Maryland, in order
- Write down the date the tenancy ended and you handed back possession — in Maryland the 45 days clock runs from that date.
- Document the unit on move-out day: video every room, appliance, and wall, and keep the file timestamped.
- Send your forwarding address in writing and keep proof — several statutes start or extend the clock from it.
- If 45 days pass with no deposit and no itemized statement, send a demand letter citing Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 and the remedy described above.
- If the landlord still doesn't pay, Maryland small claims court handles deposit cases cheaply — ask for the deposit and any amount the statute allows on top of it.
Common questions about security deposits in Maryland
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Maryland?
Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 gives your landlord 45 days after the tenancy ends to return your security deposit or send you an itemized statement of what was withheld. The one-month cap was set by the Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 and applies from October 1, 2024; before that the cap was 2 months' rent.
What happens if my Maryland landlord misses the deadline?
If the landlord, without a reasonable basis, does not return the deposit with interest within 45 days, you can sue for up to three times the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney fees (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(4)). You generally have to claim it, and small claims court is where deposit cases of this size are decided.
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Maryland?
Maryland caps it at 1 month's rent under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203. A lease term purporting to charge more does not make the excess lawful.
Can my Maryland landlord keep the deposit for cleaning?
Only to return the unit to its move-in cleanliness, and any deduction must appear in the itemized statement due within 45 days. Routine turnover cleaning and ordinary wear — faded paint, traffic-worn carpet — are generally the landlord's cost, not yours.
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Run the Lease Analyzer — free →This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. Statutes change and have exceptions; the linked primary source controls. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.