Maryland Security Deposit Law
What landlords in Maryland need to know about deposit limits, refund deadlines, interest, and penalties for getting it wrong.
Deposit cap
2 months' rent
Refund deadline
45 days
Interest required?
Yes
Interest is required annually at a rate tied to the U.S. Treasury yield (roughly 1.5%+ depending on year).
Separate account?
Not required
Penalty for noncompliance
Bad-faith withholding can result in up to 3x the wrongfully withheld amount.
Statute: Md. Code, Real Property § 8-203
This page summarizes general state-level rules as of 2026 and does not cover city or county ordinances, which can be stricter. Verify against the statute cited above or with a local attorney before relying on it. See all states.