Maryland Security Deposit Law: How Many Days and What to Do
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
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Details of the return rules
In Maryland, a landlord has 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) to return a security deposit.
| 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 |
| Statute citation | Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 |
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
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) The statutory amount depends on the facts and any conditions in Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203; it is separate from the deposit owed.
Maryland is one of 36 states where the law sets a multiple of the deposit.
| Rule | States | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The law sets a multiple of the deposit ← Maryland | 36 | 71% |
| The law names another remedy (forfeiture, fees, damages) | 10 | 20% |
| Read the cited remedy; no multiple is set | 5 | 10% |
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.
Source: Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 · checked 2026-09-23 · n=51 · method: computed from state records · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
What do you have to do before you can claim the penalty?
Send the required information to start the clock.
- Send a written demand by first-class mail giving a new address. Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203
Does the deadline move if it falls on a weekend or holiday?
Maryland's general rule for counting legal time periods says: ... runs until the end of the next day that is not a Sunday or legal holiday; or (2) the act to be done is the filing of a paper in court and the clerk's office is not open...
(Md. Code Ann., Gen. Prov. § 1-302). Whether a court applies it to a landlord's deposit deadline depends on the case, so this page does not move the deadline for you.
To be safe: if the last day falls on a weekend or holiday, treat the deadline as passed only after the next business day. Example: October 10, 2026 is a Saturday, so wait until October 12, 2026 before saying the deadline has passed.
What Maryland law requires of the landlord
The deposit return rule is 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 law also requires an itemized statement when deductions are made.
- Return window
- 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)
- Itemization
- Required
- Receipts 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
- Simple interest at the greater of the daily U.S. Treasury 1-year yield curve rate as of the first business day of each year, or 1.5% a year. Accrues at monthly intervals from deposit day; not compounded. No interest unless deposit held at least 6 months; none for partial months. Interest payable only on deposits of $50 or more.
Is interest owed on a deposit in Maryland?
Maryland is one of 11 states where interest is owed only in some cases. Check interest and any local rule.
| Rule | States | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Required by state law | 3 | 6% |
| Owed only in some cases ← Maryland | 11 | 22% |
| Not required by state law | 37 | 73% |
Source: Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 · checked 2026-09-23 · n=51 · method: computed from state records · 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.
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