Somerset County, Maryland: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is District Court of Maryland - Somerset County in Princess Anne. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $5,000. Maryland return time: 45 calendar days or another period by condition. ACS two-bedroom rent: $900. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | District Court of Maryland - Somerset County |
|---|---|
| City | Princess Anne |
| Statewide filing fee | Current court fee schedule |
| Small claims limit | $5,000 (District Court small claims only) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 2 years |
| Deposit statute | Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 |
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Details
Limits: $5,000 (District Court small claims only).
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Details of the return rules
| 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.
Court listed for this county: District Court of Maryland - Somerset County. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Somerset County.
- The Maryland business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Check the Maryland filing procedure before you go.
Service methods: certified mail by clerk; constable or sheriff; private process server.
Procedure source (high confidence): Complaint in Small Claims Actions: Contract - Tort (new suit) ............................................................. $44.00
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Somerset County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $591 | $1,182 | $1,773 | Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 2 | $900 | $1,800 | $2,700 | Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 3 | $1,248 | $2,496 | $3,744 | Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 4 | $742 | $1,484 | $2,226 | Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Somerset County compare with other Maryland counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $900: rank 22 of 24 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 31.2% of households rent in Somerset County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Kent County | $1,061 |
| Worcester County | $1,014 |
| Dorchester County | $932 |
| Somerset County | $900 |
| Allegany County | $802 |
| Garrett County | $732 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 24 of 24 listed counties. Census source.
Places in Somerset County
- Crisfield
- Princess Anne
These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file
Free legal help
- Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service: free civil legal representation for limited-income Marylanders, including landlord/tenant disputes and security deposit returns (the organization does not handle failure-to-pay-rent eviction cases because of their urgency)
- Maryland Legal Aid: free civil legal help for low-income renters, including eviction defense through the Tenant Right to Counsel Project, dangerous housing conditions, subsidized and public housing disputes, and other landlord-tenant problems
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Somerset County?
The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page
Where do I file a deposit claim in Somerset County?
District Court of Maryland - Somerset County is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.