Maryland landlord rules that changed for 2026, in one place

As of October 7, 2026, two new laws are in force for Maryland landlords, the Fair Chance Housing Act and the voucher screening and rent reporting law, both effective October 1, 2026. They sit on top of the 2025 late fee cap, the 2025 lead registration fee change and the 2024 Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act. This page lists each change, its effective date, what an owner has to do, where the fuller EPG guide is, and the primary source.

We update this page when a rule changes and re-date the opening sentence. Every fact below was checked against the statute, the bill text, the court fee schedule or the local code on October 7, 2026.

1. Security deposit: one month cap and the handling rules

What changed. A security deposit cannot exceed one month’s rent per unit (Real Property 8-203(b)). Deposit plus first month cannot exceed two months’ rent at signing. The standing handling rules continue: a written receipt with the seven items listed in Real Property 8-203.1; the deposit placed in a federally insured account at a Maryland bank within 30 days; simple interest at the greater of the one-year Treasury yield on the first business day of the year or 1.5%, accruing monthly, none due unless the deposit was held at least six months and none on deposits under $50; return within 45 days of the end of the tenancy, with the itemized list of deductions by first-class mail; and a tenant right to attend the move-out inspection if they ask by certified mail at least 15 days before moving. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to up to three times the amount withheld plus attorney’s fees.

Effective. October 1, 2024, under the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 (HB 693, Chapter 124).

What you do. Collect no more than one month. For managed properties we hold the deposit, pay the interest and account for it per unit.

EPG guide. Maryland security deposit rules: https://eastern.properties/maryland-security-deposit-rules-landlords/

Primary source. Real Property 8-203: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-203&enactments=false

2. Tenants’ Bill of Rights in every lease

What changed. HB 693 created the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs, which publishes the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights. Every residential lease must include the current edition.

Effective. October 1, 2024 (HB 693, Chapter 124).

What you do. Attach the current edition at signing and at renewal. We attach it to every EPG lease.

EPG guide. Renters’ Rights Act, what landlords need to know: https://eastern.properties/maryland-renters-rights-act-what-landlords-need-to-know/

Primary source. HB 693 of 2024: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0693?ys=2024RS

3. Failure-to-pay-rent filing fee

What changed. HB 693 raised the surcharge inside the filing fee. The District Court Cost Schedule (DCA-109, revised March 2026) now sets the failure-to-pay-rent filing fee at $50 in every county and $60 in Baltimore City, plus $5 per tenant of record for service. The $43 surcharge inside that fee cannot be awarded against a residential tenant or shifted to the tenant by a lease clause (Courts and Judicial Proceedings 7-301(c)(5); Real Property 8-208(c)(13)). The one exception is a deduction from the security deposit after a judgment for possession, where the lease allows it. Before filing, the landlord must give the tenant the Judiciary-form 10-day notice of intent to file (Real Property 8-401(c)).

Effective. Surcharge increase October 1, 2024 (HB 693); current fee schedule revised March 2026.

What you do. Budget the fee as a landlord cost. Serve the 10-day notice first. Eviction coordination is $325 on our a la carte schedule; court filings go through counsel.

EPG guide. Renters’ Rights Act, what landlords need to know: https://eastern.properties/maryland-renters-rights-act-what-landlords-need-to-know/

Primary source. District Court Cost Schedule DCA-109: https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/dca109.pdf

4. Tenant’s right of first refusal on a sale

What changed. Before selling a rental to a third party, the owner must offer the tenant the right of first refusal (Real Property 8-119). The rule does not apply to properties with five or more units, and it has other exceptions.

Effective. October 1, 2024 (HB 693, Chapter 124). Only the eviction-data provision of HB 693 (Real Property 14-133) took effect later, on October 1, 2025.

What you do. Talk to your attorney before listing a one to four unit rental for sale.

EPG guide. Renters’ Rights Act, what landlords need to know: https://eastern.properties/maryland-renters-rights-act-what-landlords-need-to-know/

Primary source. HB 693 of 2024: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0693?ys=2024RS

5. Rent increases: 90 days’ written notice

What changed. For a tenancy longer than a month, the landlord must give at least 90 days’ written notice of a rent increase; 60 days for a month-to-month tenancy. Notice goes by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, or electronically if the tenant elected electronic delivery. The rule is statewide, including Baltimore City and Allegany County, and has not been amended between 2024 and 2026. There is no statewide cap on the amount.

Effective. October 1, 2023 (HB 151 of 2023, Chapter 146, now Real Property 8-209).

What you do. Plan increases at renewal and send notice at least 90 days out.

EPG guide. Financial reporting and owner statements: https://eastern.properties/financial-reporting-owner-portal/

Primary source. Real Property 8-209: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-209&enactments=false

6. Late fees capped at 5%

What changed. A late fee may not exceed 5% of the unpaid rent for the period (Real Property 8-208(d)(3)). In Westminster Management v. Smith (2024), the Supreme Court of Maryland held that the 5% includes all collection costs other than costs a court awards, and that non-rent charges cannot be treated as rent in an eviction case.

Effective. October 1, 2025 (HB 273 of 2025, Chapter 580). The court decision is from 2024.

What you do. Nothing at your end; EPG leases use the 5% cap and late fees are retained by EPG under the management agreement.

EPG guide. How to read your owner statement (fees section): https://eastern.properties/financial-reporting-owner-portal/

Primary source. Westminster Management v. Smith: https://www.mdcourts.gov/data/opinions/coa/2024/4a23.pdf

7. Fair Chance Housing Act: two-stage screening

What changed. A landlord that owns or manages five or more units may not ask about or consider criminal history until after a written conditional offer, except for a short list of offenses: certain sex offenses, child pornography, first and second degree murder, human trafficking and sex-offender registration. A landlord that checks criminal history must check it for every applicant. Before any application fee, the applicant gets the state housing department’s written notice on how criminal history is used and that an individualized assessment is conducted. After the offer, only felony convictions within the previous five years may be considered. A withdrawal must be in writing with a specific reason; the applicant may request the records within 30 days and must receive them within 10 days. Civil penalty up to $500 per violation.

Effective. October 1, 2026 (SB 937 of 2026, Chapter 752).

What you do. Owners cannot ask us for blanket rules such as “no felonies.” One written screening standard applies at every property we manage, criminal reports are never shared with owners, and every applicant receives the state notice before paying the $25 application fee or the TransUnion reports.

EPG guide. Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, renting with EPG: https://eastern.properties/maryland-fair-chance-housing-renting-with-epg/

Primary source. Chapter 752 of 2026: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_752_sb0937e.pdf

8. Voucher screening and rent payment reporting

What changed. Two rules from one bill. First, a landlord may not refuse an applicant with an income-based housing subsidy because of income, credit score, lack of a credit score, or adverse credit from a period without the subsidy; income may be verified only against the tenant’s share of rent and utilities, using the same ratio as for other applicants (State Government 20-705.1). Second, tenants must be offered the option to have on-time rent payments reported to a consumer reporting agency, at cost and capped at $10 a month, optional, with the right to start or stop at any time; a tenant who stops waits six months to restart (Real Property 8-208.4). Tenants on existing leases must get the offer by January 1, 2027.

Effective. October 1, 2026 (SB 335 of 2026, Chapter 773).

What you do. Voucher applicants are screened on rental history and on their share of the rent, at the same 3x ratio as everyone else. Every EPG lease offers rent payment reporting, whatever the owner’s unit count, and existing tenants are offered it before January 1, 2027. We handle both.

EPG guide. Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, renting with EPG: https://eastern.properties/maryland-fair-chance-housing-renting-with-epg/

Primary source. Chapter 773 of 2026: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_773_sb0335e.pdf

9. Lead paint: $75 registration fee every two years

What changed. The MDE registration fee for a pre-1978 rental unit is $75 per unit, collected once every two years, with renewal by December 31 of the renewal year (Environment 6-843, as amended by HB 352 of 2025, Chapter 604). A newly acquired property is registered within 30 days. A passing lead dust inspection by an MDE-accredited inspector is still required before every change of occupancy (Environment 6-815). From October 1, 2026 the definition of a rental dwelling unit widens to shared housing (SB 872 of 2026, Chapter 225).

Effective. Fee change 2025 (HB 352); shared housing definition October 1, 2026 (SB 872).

What you do. Renew the registration by December 31 in the renewal year and book the lead inspector before each turnover. For managed properties we keep the calendar.

EPG guide. Maryland lead paint rules for landlords: https://eastern.properties/maryland-lead-paint-rules-for-landlords/

Primary source. Environment 6-843: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gen&section=6-843&enactments=false

10. Rental licences by jurisdiction

What changed. Baltimore City licences issued from January 1, 2026 run two years (Ordinance 24-403; Article 13, 5-9), with an inspection by a State-licensed home inspector no more than 90 days before the application and an annual registration fee of $30 per unit for one and two unit properties and $35 per unit for multifamily (Article 13, 4-8). Baltimore County licences run three years at $60 per unit for non-owner-occupied properties of six units or fewer, with an inspection by a State-licensed home inspector. Cumberland is $25 per unit per year on a licence year of July 1 to June 30, with a City inspection before each new tenant. Frostburg’s annual licence is $48 per unit if paid in January, $58 in February and $110 in March, with a City inspection every three years.

Effective. Baltimore City two-year licence from January 1, 2026; the others are current schedules.

What you do. Put the renewal dates on the calendar: Cumberland July 1, Frostburg January, Baltimore City by January 1, MDE December 31 in a renewal year.

EPG guide. Maryland rental licence requirements by county and city: https://eastern.properties/maryland-rental-license-requirements-by-county/

Primary sources. Baltimore City Code Article 13, 5-9: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/13/5-9 ; Baltimore County rental registration: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/pai/rental-registration ; City of Cumberland: https://www.cumberlandmd.gov/167/Housing-Code-Rentals ; City of Frostburg: https://www.frostburgcity.org/1244/Long-Term-Rentals

11. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at turnover

What changed. No new statute for 2026, but the turnover trigger catches many owners. At least one smoke alarm is required in each sleeping area and on every level including the basement. Battery alarms must be sealed 10-year units with a hush button. On a change of tenant, a one or two family dwelling without sealed long-life alarms must be upgraded. The landlord installs, repairs and replaces alarms; the occupant tests them and reports a failure in writing; the landlord fixes it within 5 days (Public Safety 9-104 and 9-106). Every rental dwelling unit also needs a carbon monoxide alarm outside each sleeping area and on every level including the basement, either a sealed 10-year battery unit or hardwired with battery backup (Public Safety 12-1102 and 12-1104).

Effective. In force; the turnover upgrade applies at each change of tenant.

What you do. Replace any non-sealed battery alarm at turnover and confirm a CO alarm on every level. We check both on the move-in inspection.

EPG guide. Preparing a rental for move-in in Allegany County (draft, step 3).

Primary source. Public Safety 9-104: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gps&section=9-104&enactments=false

12. Notice to end a tenancy or not renew

What changed. No 2026 change, but it pairs with the 90-day rent notice above. A landlord must give 60 days’ written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy or to not renew a lease (Real Property 8-402(c)(2)(i)). In Baltimore City, the landlord must send a renewal offer, or a good-cause non-renewal notice, 75 to 100 days before the lease ends (Baltimore City Code Article 13, 8C-2).

Effective. In force.

What you do. Tell us at least 120 days before a lease ends if you want the tenant out or the terms changed, so the statutory notices can go on time.

EPG guide. Moving in and moving out of an EPG rental (draft, giving notice).

Primary source. Real Property 8-402: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-402&enactments=false

Common questions

Which of these apply to a single rental house in Cumberland?

Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 apply to every owner. Item 7 applies because we manage five or more units. Item 8 applies at every EPG property because we offer rent reporting in every lease.

Do I have to re-sign existing leases?

No. New rules apply at renewal. The exception is the rent reporting offer, which reaches tenants on existing leases by January 1, 2027.

Can I still refuse an applicant with a criminal record?

Only after a conditional offer, only for a felony conviction within the previous five years or a listed offense, and only with a written reason and a records process.

Can I pass the court filing fee to the tenant?

Not in the lease and not in the judgment. The only route is a deduction from the security deposit after a judgment for possession, where the lease allows it.

Will you check my property against this list?

Yes, as part of the free rental analysis.

Sources

• HB 693 (2024), Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024, Chapter 124: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0693?ys=2024RS
• District Court of Maryland, Cost Schedule DCA-109 (Rev. 03/2026): https://www.mdcourts.gov/sites/default/files/court-forms/dca109.pdf
• Maryland Real Property 8-203 (security deposits): https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-203&enactments=false
• Maryland Real Property 8-203.1 (deposit receipt): https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-203.1&enactments=false
• Maryland Real Property 8-208 (late fees, prohibited lease clauses): https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-208&enactments=false
• Maryland Real Property 8-209 (rent increase notice): https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-209&enactments=false
• Maryland Real Property 8-401 (failure to pay rent, notice of intent to file): https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-401&enactments=false
• Maryland Real Property 8-402 (notice to end a tenancy): https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-402&enactments=false
• Supreme Court of Maryland, Westminster Management v. Smith (2024): https://www.mdcourts.gov/data/opinions/coa/2024/4a23.pdf
• SB 937 (2026), Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act, Chapter 752: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_752_sb0937e.pdf
• SB 335 (2026), income-based housing subsidies and rent payment reporting, Chapter 773: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2026RS/Chapters_noln/CH_773_sb0335e.pdf
• Maryland Environment 6-843 (lead registration fee): https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gen&section=6-843&enactments=false
• Maryland Public Safety 9-104 (smoke alarms): https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gps&section=9-104&enactments=false
• Baltimore City Code, Article 13, 5-9 (rental licence term): https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/13/5-9
• Baltimore City Code, Article 13, 8C-2 (renewal offers and non-renewal): https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/13/8C-2
• Baltimore County, Rental registration: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/pai/rental-registration
• City of Cumberland, Housing Code and Rentals: https://www.cumberlandmd.gov/167/Housing-Code-Rentals
• City of Frostburg, Long-Term Rentals: https://www.frostburgcity.org/1244/Long-Term-Rentals
• EPG guides: Renters’ Rights Act, security deposits, Fair Chance Housing Act, lead paint, rental licences (linked above)