Maryland Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
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). The deadline is measured from this trigger: 45 calendar days: after the end of the tenancy / termination of the tenancy; 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): after landlord's receipt of tenant's written demand by first-class mail. The verified state formula is up to threefold the amount wrongfully withheld (without a reasonable basis), plus reasonable attorney's fees; separate forfeiture of right to withhold for damages if itemized list not mailed within 45 days under Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203.
Key facts
| Deadline | 45 calendar days; trigger: after the end of the tenancy / termination of the tenancy |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 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 wrongfully withheld (without a reasonable basis), plus reasonable attorney's fees; separate forfeiture of right to withhold for damages if itemized list not mailed within 45 days |
| 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 |
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
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Maryland is $1,705 according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B25064, via Maryland State Data Center data as of .
- Montgomery County: $2,068
- Prince George's County: $1,799
- Baltimore County: $1,627
- Anne Arundel County: $2,071
- Howard County: $2,099
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,705 before applying the state formula: up to threefold the amount wrongfully withheld (without a reasonable basis), plus reasonable attorney's fees; separate forfeiture of right to withhold for damages if itemized list not mailed within 45 days.
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) | $44 for a new small-claims complaint, effective March 1, 2026; service is extra | Yes | Court site |
| 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) | $44 for a new small-claims complaint, effective March 1, 2026; service is extra | Yes | Court site |
| Baltimore County | District Court of Maryland for Baltimore County - Small Claims, Catonsville and Towson | $5,000 (District Court small claims) | $44 for a new small-claims complaint, effective March 1, 2026; service is extra | Yes | Court site |
| Anne Arundel County | District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County - Small Claims, Annapolis and Glen Burnie | $5,000 (District Court small claims) | $44 for a new small-claims complaint, effective March 1, 2026; service is extra | Yes | Court site |
| Howard County | District Court of Maryland for Howard County - Small Claims, Ellicott City | $5,000 (District Court small claims) | $44 for a new small-claims complaint, effective March 1, 2026; service is extra | Yes | Court site |
Free Maryland template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Maryland data for this page lists a 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) return window and cites Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Baltimore have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Maryland law and local rules.
Does Frederick have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Maryland law and local rules.
Does Gaithersburg have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Maryland law and local rules.
Does Rockville have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Maryland law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
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