Table of Contents
How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Maryland?
Maryland Rent Control Exemptions
How Often Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Maryland?
How Much Notice Period Is Required When Raising the Rent in Maryland?
Cities in Maryland with Additional Rent Control
Maryland Rent Increases Bottom Line
How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Maryland?
Maryland does not have any statewide rent control measures in place. However, individual cities and counties can enact their own rent control laws if they choose. If you don't live in a Maryland city or county with local rent control laws, landlords are allowed to raise rents as much as they see fit, provided they provide the appropriate amount of notice.
Maryland Rent Control Exemptions
Landlords in Maryland cannot raise rent under the following conditions:
- Without Proper Notice: At least 60 days' written notice is required for month-to-month leases.
- Discriminatory Practices: Rent increases based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability are illegal under the Fair Housing Act.
- Fixed-Term Leases: Rent cannot be raised during the term of a fixed-term lease unless the lease specifically allows for an increase.
- Retaliatory Purposes: Rent increases in response to tenants exercising their legal rights, such as filing a complaint about housing conditions, are prohibited.
How Often Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Maryland?
1 Year Lease: Rent increases are only permitted once per year unless there is a specific clause that allows mid-term rent increases.
Month-to-Month Lease: Landlords can raise it whenever as long as as they give the proper notice.
However, certain cities and counties impose their own limits. For instance, in Montgomery County, it’s limited to one per year across the board, while in Takoma Park, it’s also limited to one per year unless it’s approved by the Commission on Landlord and Tenant Affairs.
How Much Notice Period Is Required When Raising the Rent in Maryland?
The amount of notice required when raising the rent in Maryland varies depending on the length of the lease term and ranges from 7 to 90 days:
- 7 days' notice is required for a week-to-week written lease
- 21 days' notice is required for a week-to-week oral lease
- 60 days' notice is required for a month-to-month written lease
- 90 days’ notice is required for a one-year lease
The notice must be provided in writing and delivered by hand or via first-class mail unless the landlord and tenant both agree to deliver notices and updates through some other method such as email, text message, or online portal.
Cities in Maryland with Additional Rent Control
Individual cities and counties are allowed to implement their own rent control measures. Here are a few areas in Maryland that have implemented local rent control:
Takoma Park: The local government sets the maximum rent increase per year based on the increase in the general cost of goods determined by the Consumer Price Index. The current rent increase allowance is 3.7%, which is in effect until June 30, 2024. They also require that landlords provide at least two months’ notice before raising the rent.
Montgomery County: Rent increases are limited to 3% plus inflation (based on the CPI), with a hard cap of 6%. They are also the strictest on providing notice, and landlords must alert tenants to any rent increases at least 90 days before they go into effect, regardless of the lease term.
Mount Rainer: There is a rent increase cap that is set to 60% of the CPI in buildings that are at least 15 years old
Maryland Rent Increases Bottom Line
Maryland’s rent control laws can be confusing as they vary from place to place. Some cities and counties have very strict rules, while others have no rent control laws on the books. But whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, it’s important to understand the local rent control laws to ensure you’re adequately protected and abiding by the proper regulations.