Maryland Security Deposit: Your Deadline and Next Step
In Maryland, a landlord has 45 days. Which one applies depends on one question below.
- Yes, I was evicted for breaking the lease, or I abandoned the home
- No, I left normally when my tenancy ended
Last checked 2026-09-23
Calculate your deadline and next letter
Your free letter
Get a DOCX letter with the dates and amount you entered.
Already sent a letter? Tell us if it worked
Details of the return rules
In Maryland, the landlord must return the deposit within 45 calendar days or 45 calendar days (tenant was evicted or ejected for lease breach, or abandoned the premises, before termination of tenancy; ordinary 45-day return rules of (e) and (g) do not apply until tenant demands return and gives new address).
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| No, I left normally when my tenancy ended | 45 days | after the end of the tenancy / termination of the tenancy |
| Yes, I was evicted for breaking the lease, or I abandoned the home | 45 days | after landlord's receipt of tenant's written demand by first-class mail |
Maryland return rule: 45 calendar days. Check the dates you entered above.
Key facts
| Deadline | 45 calendar days; trigger: after the end of the tenancy / termination of the tenancy |
|---|---|
| Additional deadline 2 | 45 calendar days (tenant was evicted or ejected for lease breach, or abandoned the premises, before termination of tenancy; ordinary 45-day return rules of (e) and (g) do not apply until tenant demands return and gives new address); trigger: after landlord's receipt of tenant's written demand by first-class mail |
| Penalty formula | up to threefold the amount withheld without a reasonable basis, plus reasonable attorney's fees (§ 8-203(e)(4)); separately, if the itemized list of damages is not mailed within 45 days the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any part of the deposit for damages (§ 8-203(g)(2)), and in the eviction or abandonment case a landlord who does not return the deposit after the tenant's demand faces up to threefold of the withheld amount plus attorney's fees (§ 8-203(h)(3)(ii)); the 'without a reasonable basis' condition appears only in (e)(4) |
| Bad faith required | Yes |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Documentation threshold | Damage deductions must identify the materials or services provided; supporting documentation is required. An estimate may be used initially, followed by a final invoice and any excess refund within 30 days after repairs are completed. |
| Interest on deposit | Yes |
| Maximum deposit | Generally 1 month's rent per dwelling unit (for leases on or after Oct 1, 2024). Up to 2 months' rent if tenant qualifies for DHS utility assistance, lease requires utility payments to landlord, and parties agree in writing to that amount. Excess over cap: tenant may recover up to 3x the extra amount charged plus attorney's fees. |
| Forwarding address required | No |
| Small claims limit | $5,000 (District Court small claims) in District Court of Maryland (small claims) |
| Statute citation | Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 |
The landlord says you owe more than the deposit. What now?
Answer the landlord in writing and identify each disputed charge. Choose the "My landlord says I owe more" tab above. Ask for an itemized explanation and keep your response in writing.
A debt collector's notice and a credit report dispute have separate federal rules. Check whether those situations apply to you:
A debt collector's validation notice must state that the debt is assumed valid unless you dispute it within 30 days after receiving the notice. 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(a)(3): unless the consumer, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, disputes the validity of the debt, or any portion thereof, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector
If you dispute the debt in writing within that 30-day period, the collector must stop collecting the disputed part until it mails you verification. 15 U.S.C. § 1692g(b): If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) that the debt, or any portion thereof, is disputed, or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt, or any disputed portion thereof, until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt
If a disputed debt appears on your credit report, you can dispute it with the credit reporting agency, which must reinvestigate free of charge. 15 U.S.C. § 1681i(a)(1)(A): if the completeness or accuracy of any item of information contained in a consumer's file at a consumer reporting agency is disputed by the consumer and the consumer notifies the agency directly, or indirectly through a reseller, of such dispute, the agency shall, free of charge, conduct a reasonable reinvestigation
What can a landlord deduct in Maryland?
Maryland law names a specific rule for 1 of 6 common charges (unpaid rent and fees). For the others, the general wear-and-tear rule applies.
| Charge | Can the landlord deduct it? | Rule | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 |
| Carpet replacement | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 |
| Painting | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 |
| Nail holes and wall damage | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 |
| Pet damage | Only if the cited general rule permits the charge | General rule: normal wear and tear cannot be charged | Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 |
| Unpaid rent and fees | Yes | A security deposit is given to protect the landlord against nonpayment of rent, damage due to breach of lease, or damage to the leased premises,… | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(a)(3) |
I never did a move-in inspection. How do I prove the condition?
Collect move-out photos, messages, witnesses, and repair invoices. Put them in date order before responding.
Where do you file if the letter does not work?
Small claims court in Maryland hears claims up to $5,000. You can ask for up to $5,000 there, or file for the full amount in District Court of Maryland (small claims). Check the court and fees.
The state record lists a 2-year period to sue. Check when your claim accrued before counting from it.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County - Small Claims, Rockville and Silver Spring | $5,000 (District Court small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: $44 for a new small-claims complaint, effective March 1, 2026; service is extra | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Prince George's County | District Court of Maryland for Prince George's County - Small Claims, Hyattsville and Upper Marlboro | $5,000 (District Court small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: $44 for a new small-claims complaint, effective March 1, 2026; service is extra | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Baltimore County | District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County - Small Claims, Catonsville and Towson | $5,000 (District Court small claims only) | Statewide filing fee: $44 for a new small-claims complaint, effective March 1, 2026; service is extra | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
See all 24 county small claims courts and filing fees
Maryland security deposit interest rules and calculator
What happens if the landlord misses the deadline?
up to threefold the amount withheld without a reasonable basis, plus reasonable attorney's fees (§ 8-203(e)(4)); separately, if the itemized list of damages is not mailed within 45 days the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any part of the deposit for damages (§ 8-203(g)(2)), and in the eviction or abandonment case a landlord who does not return the deposit after the tenant's demand faces up to threefold of the withheld amount plus attorney's fees (§ 8-203(h)(3)(ii)); the 'without a reasonable basis' condition appears only in (e)(4) Keep statutory damages separate from the deposit and other actual damages.
Maryland is one of 36 states where the law sets a multiple of the deposit.
With a deposit of $1,705 (median county rent), a claim for the deposit plus the maximum penalty is $6,820; does not fit under the $5,000 small claims limit.
How does Maryland's deadline compare with other states?
Maryland's return deadline is 45 days. The middle of the comparable state deadlines is ≈30 days. Use the dates and questions above to see which deadline applies to you.
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Maryland | 45 days |
| District of Columbia | 45 days |
| Illinois | 45 days |
| Indiana | 45 days |
| Mississippi | 45 days |
| Oklahoma | 45 days |
See all 51 jurisdictions
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Montana | 10 days |
| Alaska | 14 days |
| Arizona | 14 days |
| Hawaii | 14 days |
| Kansas | 14 days |
| Nebraska | 14 days |
| New York | 14 days |
| Vermont | 14 days |
| Florida | 15 days |
| Delaware | 20 days |
| Rhode Island | 20 days |
| California | 21 days |
| Connecticut | 21 days |
| Idaho | 21 days |
| Minnesota | 21 days |
| South Dakota | 21 days |
| Wisconsin | 21 days |
| Colorado | 30 days |
| Georgia | 30 days |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Louisiana | 30 days |
| Maine | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days |
| Michigan | 30 days |
| Missouri | 30 days |
| Nevada | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 30 days |
| New Jersey | 30 days |
| New Mexico | 30 days |
| North Carolina | 30 days |
| North Dakota | 30 days |
| Ohio | 30 days |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days |
| South Carolina | 30 days |
| Texas | 30 days |
| Utah | 30 days |
| Washington | 30 days |
| Wyoming | 30 days |
| Oregon | 31 days |
| District of Columbia | 45 days |
| Illinois | 45 days |
| Indiana | 45 days |
| Maryland | 45 days |
| Mississippi | 45 days |
| Oklahoma | 45 days |
| Virginia | 45 days |
| Alabama | 60 days |
| Arkansas | 60 days |
| West Virginia | 60 days |
| Kentucky | No fixed return deadline |
| Tennessee | No fixed return deadline |
Source: state statute records · checked 2026-09-23 · n=48 fixed rules among 51 jurisdictions · method: first listed return deadline; calendar months plotted as ≈30 days · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
FAQ
How do I confirm the Maryland deadline?
Use the questions above to match your dates to Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203, and keep proof of each date.
What is the small claims limit in Maryland?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. Maryland court guide
City data on this page currently includes Baltimore, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bowie, Hagerstown, Annapolis, College Park.
Tenant resources
- Maryland Legal Aid - housing and legal-help intakelegal aid
- Maryland People's Law Library - security depositslegal aid
- Maryland Attorney General - landlord and tenant informationag consumer
- Maryland Court Help Centerscourt self help
- District Court of Maryland - small claims helpcourt self help
What's next?
What to do if there is no response · How to send your letter · How to write a demand letter
Statute text, sources and changes
Statute says
Within 45 days after the end of the tenancy, the landlord shall return the security deposit to the tenant together with simple interest which has accrued at the daily U.S. Treasury yield curve rate for 1 year, as of the first business day of each year, or 1.5% a year, whichever is greater, less any damages rightfully withheld. If the landlord, without a reasonable basis, fails to return any part of the security deposit, plus accrued interest, within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, the tenant has an action of up to threefold of the withheld amount, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
What this means
Sources
- https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp§ion=8-203 · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://www.peoples-law.org/security-deposits · accessed 2026-07-14
Changes
- : Record verified against the cited statute.
Verified 2026-09-23 · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6