It’s important to understand Maryland landlord-tenant law if you are a student in Maryland and want to rent an apartment or a room. These Maryland landlord-tenant laws help prevent misunderstandings and ensure a smooth rental process.
Here in this blog, we will be going through everything related to Maryland landlord-tenant law and also we will break down the basics of Maryland’s landlord-tenant laws in simple steps. Let’s get started.
Table of contents
- Is Maryland a Landlord-Friendly State?
- What is the Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law?
- Maryland landlord-tenant law- Rental Agreements
- Landlord Rights and Responsibilities in Maryland
- Tenant Rights and Responsibilities in Maryland
- Security Deposits in Maryland
- Lease Termination and Evictions in Maryland
- FAQS on the Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law
Is Maryland a Landlord-Friendly State?
Maryland is considered a landlord-friendly state. This means that landlords often have favourable conditions, especially because rental prices can be high, and there are usually no strict rules about controlling how much rent can be charged.
Also, landlords don’t have many requirements for notifying tenants before entering the rental property.
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What is the Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law?
The Maryland landlord-tenant law explains the rules that both landlords and tenants must follow when they agree to a rental contract, called a lease agreement. This rental agreement can include important details like the address of the rental property, how long the lease lasts, how much rent needs to be paid, and what happens if something goes wrong.
Also, landlords can add specific rules that apply to their property, but these must always follow Maryland’s state and local laws.
Maryland landlord-tenant law- Rental Agreements
In Maryland, rental agreements can be spoken or written. However, there are situations where a written agreement is necessary:
- If the landlord owns five or more rental properties.
- If the lease lasts for 12 months or more.
A written agreement is usually better because it provides a clear record of the terms everyone agreed on. Tenants have the right to ask for a copy of their lease, and landlords must provide it.
Landlord Rights and Responsibilities in Maryland
According to Maryland landlord-tenant law, Landlords in Maryland have certain rights and responsibilities. Knowing these can help both landlords and tenants avoid disputes. Check it out.
Rights of Landlords
There are many rights of a landlord under Maryland landlord-tenant law. Check out the important rights of a landlord below.
- Landlords have the right to receive rent payments on time.
- Landlords can ask for a security deposit, which is money given by the tenant to cover any damage to the property or unpaid rent.
- If a tenant doesn’t follow the lease terms, the landlord can start the process of eviction.
Responsibilities of Landlords
According to the Maryland landlord-tenant law, there are many responsibilities of landlords and they should follow the below rules.
- Landlords must make sure that the rental property is safe and meets health and safety regulations.
- If something is broken and it affects the tenant’s safety or health, the landlord must fix it quickly. If they don’t, tenants can ask the court to withhold rent until repairs are made.
Tenant Rights and Responsibilities in Maryland
Tenants also have rights and responsibilities under Maryland landlord-tenant law. Understanding these can help tenants have a positive rental experience.
Rights of Tenants
There are many rights of a Tenant under Maryland landlord-tenant law. Check out the important rights of a tenant below.
- Tenants have the right to live in a property that is safe and meets health standards.
- If something is unsafe or unhealthy in the rental, tenants can ask the landlord to fix it. If the landlord doesn’t respond in a reasonable time, tenants can take legal action.
- If a tenant uses their legal rights, like asking for repairs, the landlord cannot evict them out of revenge.
Responsibilities of Tenants
According to the Maryland landlord-tenant law, there are many responsibilities of a tenant. Tenants should follow the below rules:
- Tenants must pay their rent as agreed in the lease.
- Tenants should take care of the property and keep it in good condition.
- Tenants should not disturb their neighbours or engage in activities that could cause problems.
Security Deposits in Maryland
A security deposit is money that a tenant gives to the landlord at the start of the lease. This money is used to cover any damages that are beyond normal wear and tear or any unpaid rent. Maryland has specific rules about security deposits:
- The security deposit cannot be more than two months’ rent.
- After the tenant moves out, the landlord must return the deposit within 45 days, including any interest earned on the deposit.
- If the landlord keeps part of the deposit, they must provide a list explaining why.
- Landlords must give tenants a receipt for their deposit, stating that the tenant has the right to request a property inspection within 15 days of moving in.
If the landlord doesn’t follow these Maryland landlord-tenant laws, they could be sued for up to three times the amount of the security deposit plus legal fees.
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Lease Termination and Evictions in Maryland
Sometimes, tenants or landlords may want to end the lease before it expires. Here’s how that works in Maryland according to Maryland landlord-tenant law. Tenants must give notice if they want to end their lease. The amount of notice depends on the type of lease:
- Weekly Lease: 7-day notice.
- Monthly Lease: 30-day notice.
- Yearly Lease: 3-month notice.
Tenants can also end the lease early for reasons like landlord harassment, domestic violence, or poor living conditions. They must inform the landlord if they plan to leave early. On the other hand, landlords can evict tenants for breaking the lease, not paying rent, or criminal activity. However, they cannot evict tenants as a form of revenge.
FAQS on the Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law
Maryland landlord-tenant laws include rules and regulations that both landlords and tenants must follow when entering into a rental agreement. These laws cover everything from rental agreements, security deposits, rent payments, repairs, and eviction procedures.
The notice period depends on the type of lease:
– Weekly Lease: 7-day notice.
– Monthly Lease: 30-day notice.
– Yearly Lease: 3-month notice.
Yes, landlords in Maryland can evict tenants for reasons like not paying rent, breaking the lease terms, or engaging in criminal activity. However, eviction cannot be done as a form of revenge.
Yes, Maryland is considered a landlord-friendly state, especially because rental prices can be high and there are usually no strict rent control policies. Landlords also don’t have many specific requirements for notifying tenants before entering the property.
There is no specific limit on how many years a tenant can stay. As long as the tenant and landlord agree on renewing the lease and follow the terms, a tenant can stay for as many years as they like.
Hope you liked reading about the Maryland Landlord-Tenant Law. Reach out to Fly Homes now at 1800572118 to secure the finest accommodation abroad.
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