Breaking a Lease in Maryland

Maryland Rent Increase Laws — Caps & Notice Rules (2026)

By Oleg Kachko · Updated June 10, 2026

✓ Law Verified June 2026

This guide explains maryland rent increase laws in plain English — whether there is a cap on how much your landlord can raise your rent, how much notice they must give, which Maryland cities have local rent control, and what to do if an increase looks illegal. All figures are from Maryland law, verified as of June 2026.

In This Maryland Guide:

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Maryland Rent Increase Rules at a Glance

Statewide rent cap NO — Maryland has no statewide cap on how much a landlord can raise rent. There is no state-level limit on the dollar amount or percentage of a rent increase. However, several local jurisdictions have enacted their own rent stabilization ordinances with specific caps.
Notice required before increase Maryland law (Real Property § 8-209) requires written notice before any rent increase. For tenancies with a term of more than 1 month: at least 90 days notice. For tenancies of more than 1 week but not more than 1 month: at least 60 days notice. For tenancies of 1 week or less with a written lease: at least 7 days notice. For tenancies of 1 week or less with no written lease: at least 21 days notice. If a landlord fails to provide the required notice, the rent increase is not valid and the tenant is only obligated to pay the original rent amount.
How often rent can be raised Maryland state law does not specify how often a landlord can raise rent, but the notice requirements (90 days for most leases) effectively limit increases. Rent cannot be raised during a fixed-term lease unless the lease itself contains a provision allowing it. In practice, most increases occur once per lease term or once per year at renewal. In rent-controlled jurisdictions like Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, increases are limited to once per year.
During a fixed-term lease NO — under Maryland law, a landlord cannot raise rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease agreement explicitly contains a clause permitting mid-lease rent increases. If no such clause exists, the tenant is entitled to the rent amount stated in the lease for the entire lease term. Any mid-lease increase without a lease provision allowing it is not enforceable.

Retaliatory increases: YES — Maryland Real Property § 8-208.1 prohibits retaliatory actions by landlords. A landlord may not increase rent in retaliation against a tenant who has made a good faith complaint about lease violations, code violations, or conditions that pose a substantial threat to health or safety.

If a court finds the landlord engaged in retaliation, the tenant may be awarded damages of up to 3 months rent, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs.

An action is not deemed retaliatory if it occurs more than 6 months after the tenant’s protected complaint. The tenant must be current on rent to receive this protection, unless withholding rent in accordance with the lease or a local ordinance.

Maryland Cities With Local Rent Control

Montgomery County — annual increases capped at CPI-U + 3% or 6%, whichever is lower (for July 2025 to June 2026, the cap is approximately 5.7%). Takoma Park — annual cap set each year based on CPI; for July 2025 to June 2026, the limit is 2.4%.

Prince George’s County — annual increases capped at CPI-U + 3% or 6%, whichever is lower; senior housing is capped at CPI-U or 4.5%, whichever is lower.

Baltimore City — has a rent stabilization ordinance for eligible multifamily rentals and condominiums. These are the primary jurisdictions with rent control; most other Maryland counties and cities have no local rent cap.

Exempt properties: Exemptions vary by local ordinance. In Montgomery County, exempt properties include units first offered for rent after a certain date (new construction), owner-occupied buildings with a small number of units, and certain subsidized housing. In Takoma Park, single-family homes and condominiums occupied by the owner are generally exempt.

At the state level, there are no exemptions because there is no statewide cap — the exemptions only apply within jurisdictions that have local rent control.

State preemption: NO — Maryland does NOT preempt local rent control. Unlike many states that ban cities from passing rent caps, Maryland allows local jurisdictions to enact their own rent stabilization and rent control ordinances. This is why Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Takoma Park, and Baltimore City have all been able to pass local rent control laws.

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What to Do If Your Rent Increase Is Illegal

If you believe a rent increase is illegal in Maryland, you may be able to take the following steps: (1) Review your lease carefully and document the increase and any notice (or lack of notice) you received. (2) Respond to your landlord in writing, referencing your lease terms and the applicable law.

(3) File a complaint with your local housing department or code enforcement office, especially if you are in a rent-controlled jurisdiction like Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, or Takoma Park.

(4) Contact the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, which has a mediation unit that can help resolve landlord-tenant disputes. (5) File a case in Maryland District Court, Landlord/Tenant Division, which hears residential rent disputes statewide. (6) If you face eviction after refusing an illegal increase, you may qualify for free legal help through Maryland’s Access to Counsel in Evictions (ACE) program.

(7) Contact a local tenant advocacy organization such as Maryland Legal Aid or the Maryland People’s Law Library for guidance.

Other Maryland rent rules: Maryland requires that rent increase notices be sent by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, or if the tenant has elected it, by electronic delivery (email, text message, or electronic tenant portal). Also, Maryland’s retaliatory action protection under § 8-208.1 includes a 6-month lookback period — a landlord action taken more than 6 months after the tenant’s complaint is not presumed retaliatory.

Additionally, the Maryland People’s Law Library (peoples-law.org) is a state-funded resource with county-by-county guides to local rental and housing laws, which is especially useful because rent rules vary significantly by jurisdiction in Maryland.

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Official Maryland Sources & Resources

Understanding Maryland Rent Increase Laws

Whether a Maryland rent increase is legal depends on the cap (if any), the notice given, and whether the increase is retaliatory. Maryland rent increase laws protect tenants from surprise hikes by requiring a minimum notice period before any increase takes effect.

If you believe a Maryland rent increase violates these rules, document the notice you received, check the math against the cap, and contact your local housing authority or legal-aid office.

Knowing the Maryland rent increase rules before your lease renews puts you in a much stronger position.

This Maryland rent increase guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Rent caps change — verify with your state or a local legal-aid office.

More Maryland Tenant Rights Guides

Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws change and vary by city and county within a state. Verify current rules with your state, your local court, or a free legal-aid office before acting. If you are facing eviction, contact a local tenant attorney or legal-aid organization right away.

Renting? Protect your belongings — compare renters insurance at Home Insure Guide. Divorce involving a lease? See Divorce Help Guide. Unsafe housing / toxic mold injury? Some cases qualify — see Mass Tort Info.