Maryland Renters Rights

Maryland renters are granted certain protections under state law.

Maryland state law grants renters multiple rights that cannot be taken away from them, even if a landlord attempts to via the lease agreement. These rights offer protections to renters in case of a bad leasing situation.

Security Deposit

Maryland laws provide tenants with strong protection of their security deposits. The maximum amount of any security deposit is two months' rent, the renter must receive a receipt for the security deposit, and burden of proof is on the landlord for withholding any amount from the refunded deposit after the renter moves out.

Minimum Livability Code

Maryland law contains a minimum livability code that must be met for any leasing agreement to be legally binding. The code includes information on heating, hot water, clean water, insulation and the general state of the apartment or leasing property. When a rental property does not meet the minimum standards, the contract is voided and the renter is legally protected to walk away.

Right to Take Possession

The right to take possession allows a renter to cancel a lease if the landlord cannot provide the agreed upon property by the start of the lease. This means that in Maryland if a security deposit is paid and the new renter is going to move in on June 1, but the old tenant is not gone on June 1, the new renter can legally cancel the contract and receive a full refund without penalty.

References

• Rent Law: Maryland Security Deposit
• People's Law: Landlord Tenant Law in Maryland
• Maryland Attorney General: Landlords and Tenants: Tips on Avoiding Disaster