No statewide rent cap
Maryland’s approach to rent control is distinct. Unlike some states with broad, statewide rent stabilization, Maryland does not have a statewide just-cause eviction statute. This means that, for many landlords, the decision to terminate a tenancy or adjust rent falls under local ordinances rather than a single state-mandated framework. This guide focuses on the practical implications for landlords with 1-20 units, providing a clear roadmap to compliance and risk mitigation.
The primary state statute governing landlord-tenant relations is Md. Real Prop. § 8 (Landlord and Tenant). While this statute establishes foundational rules for leases, security deposits, and eviction procedures, it does not impose statewide rent control or just-cause eviction requirements. Instead, these critical regulations are often enacted at the county or municipal level. This fragmented regulatory environment is what makes understanding Maryland’s system so crucial for landlords. You cannot assume what applies in Baltimore City applies in Anne Arundel County, for example.
For landlords in Maryland, compliance involves understanding both state law and local ordinances. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides resources and administers some housing programs, but it is generally not the direct enforcer of rent control or eviction regulations. Instead, local housing authorities, county councils, and city departments are the primary bodies that draft, implement, and enforce these specific rules. This means your first step in understanding your obligations is always to identify the specific jurisdiction of your rental property.
For instance, while a uniform 10-day notice for non-payment of rent is mandated statewide by Md. Real Prop. § 8, specific rent increase limitations or just-cause eviction requirements are not. Similarly, the statewide 60-day notice for no-cause termination applies, but local jurisdictions can – and often do – add additional protections or requirements. This layered regulatory structure is Maryland’s defining characteristic in this area.
For landlords managing 1-20 units, the practical bottom line is vigilance and localization. Do not assume your current practices are compliant without verifying local ordinances. A common landlord mistake is relying solely on state law or on what a friend who owns property in a different county does. This can lead to costly legal challenges, fines, and delays in regaining possession of your property.
For example, while the state caps security deposits at 2.00 months' rent, some local jurisdictions might have additional requirements for how those deposits are held or returned. A concrete example of a common landlord mistake: a landlord in a jurisdiction with local rent control might attempt to raise rent by 15% annually, believing state law allows it, only to find their local ordinance caps increases at 5% or ties them to the Consumer Price Index. Such an increase would be illegal locally, even if not prohibited statewide.
Therefore, don't implement a rent increase or issue an eviction notice without first consulting your specific county or city's housing department. Do consult their official websites, or better yet, seek legal counsel familiar with local statutes. This proactive approach saves time and money.
One of the most significant distinctions in Maryland is the absence of a statewide just-cause eviction requirement. This means that, at the state level, a landlord can generally terminate a month-to-month tenancy with proper notice (typically 60 days) without needing a specific "just cause" like lease violation or non-payment. However, this is where local ordinances dramatically alter the picture. Several jurisdictions have enacted their own just-cause eviction laws, requiring landlords to have specific, legally defined reasons to evict a tenant. Ignoring these local laws is a direct path to legal trouble.
For instance, if your property is in a jurisdiction with just-cause eviction, attempting a no-cause eviction with a 60-day notice, even though permissible under state law in other areas, would be a violation of local law. You would be required to prove a lease violation, non-payment, or another specified "just cause" to evict.
As of recent legislative sessions, Maryland has seen ongoing discussions and proposals aimed at addressing housing affordability and tenant protections. While a comprehensive statewide rent control bill has not yet passed, there has been consistent legislative activity around tenant rights. For instance, recent sessions have explored expanding protections against source-of-income discrimination, strengthening eviction prevention programs, and increasing the transparency of landlord-tenant court proceedings. Some proposals have also focused on extending notice periods for rent increases or lease non-renewals beyond the current state minimums. Landlords should be aware that while current state law lacks statewide rent control or just-cause eviction, the legislative environment is fluid, and further tenant protection measures at the state level remain a possibility. Staying informed through reliable legal updates or landlord associations is critical.
In summary, Maryland’s landlord-tenant rules are a blend of state minimums and significant local variations. Your compliance hinges on understanding both. Prioritize local research. Confirm your specific county or city’s rent control ordinances, just-cause eviction requirements, and any additional notice periods. This guide will help you identify the specific risks and requirements relevant to your operations in Maryland.
| Annual rent increase cap | No statewide cap | |
| Just cause required for eviction | Yes | |
| Local rent control allowed? | Yes (subject to any state-law limits) |
Maryland has no statewide rent-increase cap, and Maryland state law does not preempt local rent control, meaning Maryland cities and counties have full legal authority to enact their own rent-stabilization or rent-control ordinances if they choose. In practice, however, most Maryland localities have not enacted a local cap, and the overwhelming majority of Maryland residential rentals are not subject to any rent cap from any level of government.
Within Maryland, 3 Maryland city or county rent-control ordinance(s) currently on record, see the rent-control-city table above for the specific cap, coverage, and just-cause rules in each. Where a local ordinance applies, it will almost always impose additional restrictions beyond the default Maryland common-law framework: annual rent-increase caps tied to CPI, just-cause termination requirements, required relocation assistance for no-fault terminations, landlord-registration with the city, and rent-registry submissions.
Where no local rent-control ordinance applies, rent increases on a Maryland residential unit are limited only by the written lease and market conditions, subject to: proper statutory written notice (typically 30 days for a month-to-month tenancy); federal and Maryland fair-housing law (no targeting of protected classes); and Maryland anti-retaliation law (no increase within the statutory retaliation window after a protected tenant act). A Maryland landlord contemplating a substantial rent increase in a high-turnover or gentrifying neighborhood should document the legitimate business reason (market comparables, operating-cost increases, capital-improvement passthroughs) contemporaneously and in writing, before serving the increase notice, to rebut any later retaliation or discrimination claim.
| City | Ordinance | Annual Cap | Just Cause | SFR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | Montgomery County Rent Stabilization | 3%+CPI, max 6% | Yes | Yes |
| Prince Georges County | PG County Rent Stabilization | 3%+CPI, max 6% | Yes | Yes |
| Takoma Park | Takoma Park Rent Stabilization | CPI (typically 2-5%) | Yes | Yes |
Not statewide. Maryland has rent regulation in two specific jurisdictions: Montgomery County (Bill 15-23, effective July 2024) caps annual increases at CPI-U + 3 percent with a 6 percent ceiling; the 2025-2026 cap is 5.7 percent. Takoma Park caps at the local CPI; 2025-2026 cap is 2.4 percent. Everywhere else in Maryland, including Baltimore City, has no rent cap. Maryland does not preempt local rent control, so other jurisdictions may enact ordinances; none has done so as of 2026.
5.7 percent for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The formula is CPI-U + 3 percent, with an absolute ceiling of 6 percent; 2025-2026 CPI-U came in at 2.7 percent, plus 3 percent = 5.7 percent (under the 6 percent ceiling). Coverage applies to most multi-family rentals in unincorporated Montgomery County and incorporated municipalities that have not opted out, subject to the 23-year new-construction exemption. The Department of Housing and Community Affairs administers the ordinance.
Three main differences. Lower cap: Takoma Park ties increases to local CPI alone (2025-2026 cap 2.4 percent) versus Montgomery County's CPI + 3 percent (5.7 percent). Shorter exemption window: Takoma Park exempts new construction for only 5 years versus Montgomery County's 23 years, so Takoma Park covers far more of its rental stock. Older administrative practice: Takoma Park has run rent stabilization since 1981 and has a more developed enforcement framework. The two ordinances operate in parallel for properties within Takoma Park, which is a municipality inside Montgomery County; Takoma Park's ordinance prevails where it is stricter.
Political choice, not preemption. Maryland's general law does not preempt local rent control; Baltimore City could enact rent stabilization under its home-rule powers. The City Council has considered rent stabilization at various points (notably during 2020-2022 COVID cycles); none of those efforts has passed. Baltimore's lower rents relative to Washington and Montgomery County, the existing statewide tenant protections under the Real Property Article, and the active landlord-side lobby have together kept any Baltimore rent-stabilization framework from becoming law. The question is periodically revived but as of 2026 no Baltimore ordinance is in effect.
Even without rent control, Maryland has several statewide protections. 60-day notice for rent increases in most counties (some counties require 90 days). Retaliatory rent increases prohibited within 6 months of protected tenant activity under Real Property § 8-208.1; damages include the increase amount plus statutory damages. Good-cause eviction in federally subsidized housing. Strong security-deposit framework under Real Property § 8-203 with triple damages for wrongful withholding above a threshold. These protections apply throughout Maryland regardless of jurisdiction.
Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed Maryland attorney. Source attribution in the Sources band below.
