Maryland Rent Increase Laws: Notice Periods & Local Rent Control

Maryland stands out nationally because while there is no statewide rent control law limiting how much a landlord can increase rent, strictly regulated notice periods apply statewide, and several powerful local jurisdictions enforce strict financial caps on rent hikes.

Statewide Notice Requirements Under

Maryland state law, a landlord cannot increase rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease agreement explicitly contains a provision allowing mid-lease increases (which is exceptionally rare).

To increase the rent at lease renewal or during a periodic tenancy, the landlord must provide written notice well in advance:

If a landlord fails to provide the proper notice, the rent increase is invalid and the tenant is only obligated to pay the original amount.

Local Rent Control (Rent Stabilization)

While the state does not cap rent increases, several major jurisdictions in Maryland do:

Montgomery County

Montgomery County enacted a mandatory Rent Stabilization law (Bill 16-23). Under this law, annual rent increases are limited to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 3%, with a hard cap of 6% annually, subject to specific exemptions.

Takoma Park The City

of Takoma Park maintains strict rent stabilization laws. Rent increases are strictly tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and landlords must apply directly to the city if they wish to increase rent above the statutory cap (e.g., to cover major capital improvements).

Prince George's County

Prince George's County passed a permanent Rent Stabilization Act (CB-7-2023) capping annual rent increases at 3% for covered properties, making it essential for landlords operating there to check current county limits before sending renewal notices.

Retaliation is Prohibited

Under Maryland's retaliatory eviction statute, a landlord cannot raise the rent merely because the tenant:

• Complained to a government agency about housing code violations.
• Joined a tenant's union.
• Filed a lawsuit against the landlord.

Managing Complex Renewals

If you manage properties in Baltimore, Montgomery County, and Frederick, you are manage three completely different rent-capping environments. Landager ties every property to its local jurisdiction, applying the correct rent control cap and alerting you exactly 95 days before lease expiry to send lawful 90-day notices.

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How Landager Helps

Landager tracks lease terms, payments, and compliance document dates - making it easy to stay compliant with Maryland regulations.

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