Rent Increases in Maryland: What Are My Rights?
This page explains what Maryland law says about rent increases. It covers the notice your landlord must give. It also covers when a rent increase is not allowed, and when it counts as punishment for using your rights. Some Maryland cities and counties add their own rules on top of state law.
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Your landlord can only raise your rent when your lease is renewed, not while your current lease is still running. If you have a lease for a set time, like 1 year, your rent stays the same until that lease ends. It will not change until you sign a new one.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If your lease runs for more than 1 month, your landlord must send written notice at least 90 days before a rent increase starts. If you rent month-to-month, your landlord only needs to give 60 days' notice instead.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If your lease is for more than 1 week but not more than 1 month, your landlord must give you written notice first. This notice must arrive at least 60 days before the higher rent starts.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If you rent week to week with a written lease, your landlord must give you written notice at least 7 days before a rent increase. Without a written lease, you must get at least 21 days notice.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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Your landlord can send this rent increase notice by mail, with proof of mailing. Your landlord can send it by email, text, or an online tenant account instead, but only if you agreed to that first. Your landlord cannot make you agree to online notice just to get a lease.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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This 90-day and 60-day notice rule does not always apply. It does not apply if your landlord already gave you written notice ending your rental, instead of renewing it.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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Maryland has no statewide law that limits how much your landlord can raise your rent when your lease is renewed. Some cities and counties have their own rules that limit rent increases. Check your city or county's guide for those rules.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If you think your landlord gave you less notice than the law requires, write back and say so. Keep a copy for your records.
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Your landlord cannot raise your rent to punish you for using your rights. This includes a good faith complaint to your landlord or a government agency that your landlord broke the lease or broke the law. It also includes a good faith complaint that a problem in your home is a serious threat to your health or safety. It also includes filing or joining a lawsuit against your landlord, or joining a tenants group. It also includes asking police or emergency workers for help at the property, if that was the only reason.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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To use this protection against a rent increase meant to punish you, you must be paid up on rent when your landlord raises it. This still counts if you are legally holding back rent in a way your lease or Maryland law allows. This protection also only applies if your landlord raises your rent within 6 months after you did something protected. That includes making a complaint, joining a lawsuit or tenants group, or asking police or emergency workers for help.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If your landlord raised your rent to punish you and then tries to evict you, you can raise that as a defense in court. You can also sue your landlord directly for punishing you with the rent increase, even without an eviction case. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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If a court agrees your landlord raised your rent to punish you, the court can order your landlord to pay you money. This can be up to 3 months of rent, plus your lawyer's fees and court costs. For example, 3 months of a $1,500 rent is $4,500. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays. The court can also rule against you if you made this claim in bad faith, or without substantial justification (a good reason). Then you must pay your landlord the same amount instead.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
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