Maryland Security Deposit Laws (2026)
Key rules for deadlines, penalties, and documentation requirements, with direct links to the official statute.
Reviewed: 2026-03-03
Reviewer: ReclaimDeposit legal research team
Quick answer for Maryland renters
In Maryland, landlords generally must return the deposit or send a lawful itemized statement within 45 days. Penalty exposure can reach 3x damages.
Requirements
Notes
- Deposit must be held in interest-bearing account in MD financial institution
- Interest accrues at rate set annually by MD Dept of Housing and Community Development
- Written itemization must be sent by first-class mail to last known address
- Up to 3x damages for failure to comply + attorney fees
- Move-in/move-out inspection checklists recommended
Citations
Quick references pulled from our shared state law dataset. Open each explainer for plain-English context.
Deposit return deadline
Md. Real Prop. § 8-203(e) - Landlord must return deposit within 45 days
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionItemized deductions
Md. Real Prop. § 8-203(e) - Landlord must send written list by first-class mail
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionNormal wear and tear
Md. Real Prop. § 8-203(e) - Cannot deduct for normal wear and tear
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionBad faith penalties
Md. Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(4) - Failure to comply = up to 3x damages
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionInterest on deposits
Md. Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(1) - Interest accrues at daily U.S. Treasury yield curve rate (1-year maturity)
Explain this statuteOfficial sectionEscrow requirements
Md. Real Prop. § 8-203(b) - Must be held in MD financial institution
Explain this statuteOfficial section
Common Maryland dispute scenarios
Choose the scenario that matches your case to get state-specific next actions.
Landlord missed the deposit deadline
Use this path when your landlord returned the deposit late or failed to send any lawful itemized statement on time.
No itemized deduction statement
Use this path when money was withheld but no legally compliant itemized statement was provided.
Charged for normal wear and tear
Use this path when deductions include routine aging, ordinary use, or charges that should have been depreciated.
Evidence of landlord bad faith
Use this path when withholding appears intentional, reckless, or unsupported by evidence and statute.
Next steps
Use free tools to estimate your deadline, prepare a demand letter, and map your court path.