Maryland Lease Agreement: What to Include
September 15, 2025Maryland's landlord-tenant rules include a two-month deposit cap, a deposit interest requirement tied to how long the deposit is held, and a somewhat unusual water and sewer allocation disclosure.
Security deposits
Maryland caps the security deposit at two months' rent. Interest is required on deposits of $50 or more held for six months or longer. Deposits must generally be returned within 45 days of move-out, with an itemized list of deductions.
Water and sewer allocation disclosure
Maryland requires disclosing how water and sewer charges are allocated between landlord and tenant — a specific, sometimes overlooked disclosure that matters especially in multi-unit properties where utility costs may be shared or estimated rather than individually metered.
Entry notice
Maryland generally expects 24 hours' notice before entering an occupied unit for non-emergency purposes.
Required disclosures
A Maryland lease should include or accompany:
- • Federal lead-based paint disclosure (for pre-1978 buildings)
- • Security deposit receipt
- • Move-in and move-out inspection rights
- • Water/sewer charge allocation
- • Maryland lead paint or rental registration information, where applicable
The bottom line
The water/sewer allocation disclosure and the six-month threshold for deposit interest are the two details a generic lease is most likely to miss in Maryland. See LeasePilot HQ's full Maryland landlord-tenant law summary for the complete breakdown with sources, or generate a lease with Maryland-specific clauses built in automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I owe interest on every Maryland security deposit?
Only on deposits of $50 or more held for six months or longer — a shorter-term tenancy or a very small deposit may not trigger the interest requirement, so check the specific thresholds.
What is the water/sewer disclosure in Maryland?
It's a required disclosure explaining how water and sewer costs are allocated between landlord and tenant, which matters particularly in properties where utilities aren't individually metered per unit.
How much can I charge as a security deposit in Maryland?
Up to two months' rent — higher than the one-month cap common in many other states.