Maryland’s rent increase laws for 2025 have introduced several important changes that tenants should be aware of. Here’s what you need to know:
Notice Requirements
Landlords in Maryland must provide adequate notice before increasing rent:
- For leases longer than a month, a 90-day notice is required.
- For leases between a week and a month, a 60-day notice is needed.
- For oral leases of a week or less, a 21-day notice is required.
- For written leases of one week or less, only a 7-day notice is necessary.
Rent Stabilization Measures
While Maryland doesn’t have statewide rent control, some localities have implemented rent stabilization measures:
Montgomery County
As of July 23, 2024, Montgomery County has enacted new rent stabilization legislation:
- The maximum allowable rent increase is set to the lesser of:
- The local annual Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) plus 3%
- 6% of the base rent
- For the period from July 23, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the maximum rent increase allowance is 6%.
Prince George’s County
From October 17, 2024, to June 30, 2025, the allowable rental increase is 6% for most covered unit types.
Takoma Park
Takoma Park has a more stringent rent stabilization policy:
- The current rent increase allowance is 3.4% for all rent increases occurring between July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Tenant Protections
The Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024, effective October 1, 2024, introduces additional protections for tenants:
- Landlords are prohibited from passing eviction filing fees on to tenants in most cases.
- The maximum allowable security deposit is capped at one month’s rent for most Maryland renters.
- A Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights will be published annually and included as an addendum to every residential lease.
Fair Return Provisions
Landlords may petition for rent increases beyond the standard limits if they can demonstrate they are not receiving a fair return on their property. This provision aims to balance tenant protections with landlords’ rights to maintain their properties.
Capital Improvements
The new legislation in Montgomery County allows for a surcharge to account for capital improvements:
- For improvements affecting all units, the increase must be prorated across all units for no more than 96 months and cannot exceed 20% of the base rent.
- For improvements affecting less than all units, the increase must be spread evenly across affected units for less than 60 months and cannot exceed 15% of the base rent.
Tenants should carefully review their lease agreements and stay informed about local regulations, as rent control measures can vary significantly by jurisdiction within Maryland. If you believe a rent increase is improper or illegal, you have the right to file a complaint with your local county government.
Sources:
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-maryland
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent-in-maryland
- Â https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/legal-updates-know-2025-what-maryland-real-estate-need-gary-damico-boo2e
- Â https://www.turbotenant.com/state/maryland/rent-control/
- Â https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DHCA/Tenants/RentStabilization.html
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