Talbot County, Maryland: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is District Court of Maryland - Talbot County in Easton. 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: $1,187. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | District Court of Maryland - Talbot County |
|---|---|
| City | Easton |
| 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 - Talbot 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 Talbot 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 Talbot 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 | $1,005 | $2,010 | $3,015 | Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 2 | $1,187 | $2,374 | $3,561 | Fits under the $5,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 3 | $1,840 | $3,680 | $5,520 | Does not fit the $5,000 limit. The Maryland court page explains whether you can reduce the claim to the limit or file in a higher court. Send the letter first either way. |
| 4 | $2,248 | $4,496 | $6,744 | Does not fit the $5,000 limit. The Maryland court page explains whether you can reduce the claim to the limit or file in a higher court. Send the letter first either way. |
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 Talbot County compare with other Maryland counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,187: rank 16 of 24 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 27.3% of households rent in Talbot County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Cecil County | $1,303 |
| Wicomico County | $1,209 |
| Talbot County | $1,187 |
| Washington County | $1,099 |
| Caroline County | $1,090 |
| Kent County | $1,061 |
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 Talbot County
- Easton
- Oxford
- Queen Anne
- St. Michaels
- Trappe
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 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 Talbot County?
The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page
Where do I file a deposit claim in Talbot County?
District Court of Maryland - Talbot 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.