Maryland Rent Increase Laws

Last Updated: January 19, 2023 by Ashley Porter

Does Maryland Have Rent Control?

No, Maryland does not have statewide rent control laws limiting the amount that landlords may ask for rent but cities and counties can establish their own rent control laws, like in Takoma Park.

How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent By in Maryland?

By state law, landlords can raise the rent by any amount that they wish. There is no legal limit or cap on the amount of a rent increase. However, cities and counties may enact their own rent control, like in Takoma Park.

In Takoma Park, the maximum rent increase per year is determined annually and is based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.
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The current rent increase allowance is 7.3% for all rent increases occurring through June 30, 2023.

Some housing units are exempt from Takoma Park’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance including single-family residences, accessory structures, and duplexes where the owner resides in one of the units as a primary residence.
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When Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Maryland?

In Maryland, landlords can raise the rent for any reason as long as they give proper notice, don’t do so during the fixed term of a lease (unless the lease allows for it), and aren’t doing so for certain discriminatory or retaliatory reasons.

When Can’t a Landlord Raise Rent in Maryland?

In Maryland, landlords cannot raise the rent during the middle of a lease’s fixed term (unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement), for certain discriminatory reasons (like race or age), or for certain retaliatory reasons (such as in response to a tenant requesting repairs).

The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination due to:

• Age
• Race
• Gender (including gender identity)
• Sexual orientation
• Religion
• Nationality or origin
• Familial status
• Disability

Some local jurisdictions have enacted additional protection from discrimination for renters, such as in Frederick
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and Montgomery County
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which prohibit discrimination due to source of income.

Maryland law also prevents landlords from increasing rent in retaliation. An action by a landlord is considered retaliatory if it occurs within 6 months
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after something a tenant does.

Rent increases are considered retaliatory if they are in response to a tenant:

• Filing a complaint with the appropriate agency regarding the health or safety of the property
• Filing a complaint with the landlord about a violation of the lease or law or the health and safety of the property
• Filing or participating in a lawsuit against the landlord
• Joining or organizing a tenants’ group or union

How Much Notice is Needed to Raise Rent in Maryland?

Maryland law does not require a specific notice period before raising the rent. However, some local jurisdictions have established their own notice requirements, like in Takoma Park and Montgomery County. Landlords can establish their own minimum notice period in the lease agreement.

In Takoma Park, landlords must give tenants two months’ notice
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 before increasing the rent. In unincorporated Montgomery County, landlords must give 90 days’ notice.
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Check your local laws to determine if your area has notice period requirements.

How Often Can Rent Be Increased in Maryland?

Landlords in Maryland can increase the rent as often as they wish, as long as sufficient notice is provided each time. However, local governments can establish their own limitations on rent increases, like in Takoma Park and Montgomery County.

In Takoma Park, rent increases are limited to once per year unless the Commission on Landlord and Tenant Affairs approves a fair return rent increase.
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In unincorporated Montgomery County, rent increases are limited to once per year.
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