For non-weekly rent under current § 8-208; weekly installments use separate dollar limits.
With a narrow utility-assistance exception.
After tenancy ends.
Master bills, allocation method, prior average and added fees are among required disclosures.
Maryland charge guides
Security Deposit
Maryland security deposit cap, 45-day return, interest, inspection and damage documentation rules.
Open guide →One-Month Limit
Maryland generally caps a residential security deposit at one month’s rent, with a narrow utility-assistance exception.
Open guide →45-Day Rule
Maryland landlords generally have 45 days after tenancy ends to return the deposit and send the required damage accounting.
Open guide →Move-Out Inspection
Maryland tenants can request to be present at a move-out damage inspection by following the statutory notice procedure.
Open guide →Ordinary Wear
Maryland security-deposit deductions for damage exclude ordinary wear and tear.
Open guide →Deposit Interest
Maryland requires simple interest on qualifying security deposits under a statutory rate formula.
Open guide →Damage Documentation
Maryland’s current deposit law requires an itemized cost statement with supporting documentation identifying materials or services.
Open guide →Surety Bond
Maryland allows tenants to purchase a surety bond instead of some or all of a security deposit, subject to statutory protections.
Open guide →RUBS & Utility Billing
Maryland apartment RUBS and submetering rules for written disclosures, master utility bills, allocation methods, records, administrative fees and future 2026 water-submeter changes.
Open guide →Rent Late Fees
Maryland residential rent late-payment penalty limits, including the 5% unpaid-rent calculation and separate weekly-rent limits under Real Property § 8-208.
Open guide →5% unpaid-rent ceiling and separate weekly-rent limits.Security Deposits
One-month cap, interest, deductions and 45-day accounting.RUBS & Utility Billing
Pre-lease disclosure, allocation, record access and submetering rules.
Use the correct utility framework
RUBS is a master-meter allocation method that does not measure actual per-tenant usage. Gas/electric submetering measures actual unit usage under a separate Public Utilities framework. The new water-submeter law creates another layer beginning October 1, 2026. Identify the method before comparing fees or calculations.
Official sources
Current Maryland residential lease statute prohibiting a late-rent penalty above 5% of the unpaid rent due for the delinquent rental period, with separate limits for weekly rental installments. The unpaid-rent calculation language took effect October 1, 2025.
Maryland General AssemblyMaryland Real Property § 8-203 — Security deposits ↗Primary current statute for deposit limits, escrow, interest, deductions, 45-day return/accounting and supporting documentation.
Maryland General AssemblyMaryland Real Property § 8-203.1 — Security deposit receipt and inspections ↗Primary statute describing required receipt disclosures and move-in/move-out inspection rights.
Maryland General AssemblyMaryland Real Property § 8-212.4 — Ratio utility billing systems ↗Current statewide landlord-tenant statute for residential RUBS disclosures, master-bill records, allocation methods, average monthly bills, service/admin-fee disclosure and tenant record inspection.
Maryland General AssemblyMaryland Public Utilities § 7-303 — Gas/electric submetering ↗Current statute directing PSC standards for apartment gas/electric submetering, limiting passed-through utility costs and allowing an administrative service charge of no more than $1 per unit per month.
Maryland General Assembly2026 Chapter 262 (HB 220) — Individual water submeters ↗Enacted 2026 water-submeter law with an October 1, 2026 effective date. It is future-effective as of this page’s September 1, 2026 review date and should not be treated as current law before October 1.