Maryland Security Deposit Demand Letter

In Maryland, a landlord has 45 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: Md. Real Prop. §8-203 (Renters' Rights Act, eff. 10/1/2024)). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.

Reflects current Maryland rules · 2026 Official source linked Free PDF · no signup · nothing uploaded

Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.

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Maryland deposit rules at a glance

Return deadline: 45 days after move-out
Deposit cap: 1 month's rent

As of 2026. Source: Md. Real Prop. §8-203 (Renters' Rights Act, eff. 10/1/2024) ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Maryland landlord have to return the deposit?

45 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: Md. Real Prop. §8-203 (Renters' Rights Act, eff. 10/1/2024)). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.

Is there a limit on how much deposit a Maryland landlord can charge?

Yes: 1 month's rent (as of 2026; source: Md. Real Prop. §8-203 (Renters' Rights Act, eff. 10/1/2024)). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.

How much can I sue for in Maryland if the landlord ignores this?

$5,000 or less exclusive of interest, costs, and recoverable attorney fees (Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-405). The District Court's small claim jurisdiction is exclusive; landlord-tenant rent claims up to $5,000 ride the same rail. The court is the Small claim action in the District Court of Maryland, and the filing fee is $44 for a new small claims contract/tort suit plus a service fee, per the official District Court Cost Schedule DCA-109 (Rev. 03/2026); counterclaims are $18.. As of 2026; source: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-405; Md. Rule 3-701 (procedure).

Do I need a lawyer in Maryland small claims?

Attorneys are Allowed but not required.. Source: Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-405; Md. Rule 3-701 (procedure) (as of 2026).

Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.

How Maryland compares

Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Maryland: Md. Real Prop. §8-203 (Renters' Rights Act, eff. 10/1/2024) ↗.

Deposit return deadline

Deposit return deadline: 45 days — above the national median of 30 days across the 51 states with a statutory rule.

This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 6 other states.

Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Delaware (20 days), District of Columbia (45 days), Pennsylvania (30 days), Virginia (45 days), West Virginia (60 days).

The rest of what Maryland requires

The figures below are Maryland's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Maryland page for that document.

Security deposit cap · as of 2026: 1 month's rent Md. Real Prop. §8-203 (Renters' Rights Act, eff. 10/1/2024) ↗
Deposit return deadline · as of 2026: 45 days after move-out Md. Real Prop. §8-203 (Renters' Rights Act, eff. 10/1/2024) ↗
Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026: 30 days Md. Real Prop. §8-203 (Renters' Rights Act, eff. 10/1/2024) ↗
Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026: 10 days to pay or quit Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-401, 8-402, 8-402.1 ↗
Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026: 30 days Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-401, 8-402, 8-402.1 ↗
Small claims limit · as of 2026: $5,000 Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-405; Md. Rule 3-701 (procedure) ↗
Where you file · as of 2026: Small claim action in the District Court of Maryland · filing fee $44 for a new small claims contract/tort suit plus a service fee, per the official District Court Cost Schedule DCA-109 (Rev. 03/2026); counterclaims are $18. Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 4-405; Md. Rule 3-701 (procedure) ↗
Rental application fee · as of July 2026: No statutory limit Maryland General Assembly ↗
Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026: Required to transfer a vehicle title Maryland MVA (Form VR-181) ↗
Power of attorney signing · as of 2026: Notarization required · 2 witnesses Md. Code Est. & Trusts §17-110 (form §17-202) ↗
LLC operating agreement · as of 2026: Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules Md. Code, Corps. & Ass'ns § 4A-101(q) (definition); § 4A-402 (operating agreement) ↗
Recording a deed · as of 2026: Clerk of the Circuit Court (county land records) · no witnesses Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 4-101, 3-104 ↗

Security deposit demand letter in other states

More Maryland legal forms

Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →