How many days does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Maryland?

Maryland law gives landlords 45 days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203; § 8-203(e)(1), (e)(4), (f)(1), (g)(1)-(2), (h).

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Maryland?

Under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203; § 8-203(e)(1), (e)(4), (f)(1), (g)(1)-(2), (h), allowed deductions generally include unpaid rent and damage due to breach of lease. Normal wear and tear is not deductible.

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Maryland security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Maryland

Your landlord has 45 days under Maryland law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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When did you move out?

This is the one that matters. Your clock starts the day you handed back the keys — not the day your landlord replies.

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Maryland security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

45 days

Statute

Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203; § 8-203(e)(1), (e)(4), (f)(1), (g)(1)-(2), (h)

45 days after the END of the tenancy, returned WITH accrued interest. If any portion is withheld, the landlord must additionally send BY FIRST-CLASS MAIL to the tenant's last known address, within the same 45 days, a written list of damages claimed plus an itemized statement of costs incurred (§ 8-203(g)(1)). SEPARATE TRACK — THIS IS THE TRAP: under § 8-203(h)(1) the 45-day rules in (e)(1), (e)(4), (g)(1) and (g)(2) are INAPPLICABLE to a tenant who was evicted or ejected for breach before termination, or who ABANDONED the premises before termination. Such a tenant must first DEMAND return by written notice by first-class mail within 45 days of eviction/ejection/abandonment, specifying a new address; the landlord then has 45 days FROM RECEIPT OF THAT DEMAND. A demand letter for an evicted or abandoning tenant that cites the ordinary 45-day rule cites an INAPPLICABLE subsection. INSPECTION TRACK: tenant may compel an attended move-out inspection by notifying the landlord by CERTIFIED MAIL of intent to move, moving date, and new address at least 15 days before moving; the landlord must then notify the tenant by certified mail of the inspection time, which must fall within 5 days before or after the moving date.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Maryland?

Allowed

✓Unpaid rent
✓Damage due to breach of lease
✓Damage by the tenant or the tenant's family, agents, employees, guests or invitees in excess of ordinary wear and tear to the leased premises, common areas, major appliances, and landlord-owned furnishings

Not allowed

✗Ordinary wear and tear
✗Forfeiture as liquidated damages for breach, except to the extent the landlord is actually damaged

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Maryland?

If the landlord, WITHOUT A REASONABLE BASIS, fails to return any part plus accrued interest within 45 days after termination, the tenant has an action of UP TO THREEFOLD of the withheld amount, plus reasonable attorney's fees (§ 8-203(e)(4)). Both qualifiers are operative statutory words: the 3x is a CEILING ('up to'), not automatic, and is gated on absence of a reasonable basis. The same up-to-threefold remedy is separately provided at (h)(3)(ii) for the evicted/abandoning track. Two independent forfeitures favor the tenant: failing to send the damages list within 45 days forfeits the right to withhold ANY part for damages (§ 8-203(g)(2)); failing to advise the tenant in writing of inspection rights when the deposit was paid likewise forfeits that right (§ 8-203(f)(1)(vi)-(vii)). INTEREST: simple interest at the greater of the daily U.S. Treasury yield curve rate for 1 year (as of the first business day of each year) or 1.5% per year, accruing monthly, not compounded; none unless held at least 6 months, none for a partial month, payable only on deposits of $50 or more.

How TenantNex helps

1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
2. We generate a demand letter citing Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203; § 8-203(e)(1), (e)(4), (f)(1), (g)(1)-(2), (h) and your exact deadline.
3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Maryland tenant rights resources

HUD — tenant rights and resources
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Key statute: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203; § 8-203(e)(1), (e)(4), (f)(1), (g)(1)-(2), (h) — verified against the official text on 2026-09-04.

Every fact on this page is verified against Maryland's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Maryland.

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Your money is due back

45 days

Maryland law sets this deadline — your landlord must return your deposit or itemize deductions by then.

If they wrongfully withhold

up to 3× your deposit

Add your deposit amount above for the exact figure.

Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203; § 8-203(e)(1), (e)(4), (f)(1), (g)(1)-(2), (h) — verified against the official statute 2026-09-04

Your 45 days started the day you moved out — that clock is running right now whether or not your landlord acts, and the 3× penalty only exists if you demanded it in writing before it closed.

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Option	Price	Effort	Follow-up
Do it yourself	—	All of it	You chase
TenantNex	$39	Done for you	We chase
Small-claims services	$149–448	—	—
Hire an attorney	$300–2,000+	—	—

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Step 1 — certified demand letter citing your state statute, deadline and penalty
Mailed USPS Certified with return receipt, tracked to your landlord’s door
Step 2 — day-14 notice of intent to file, the one most landlords act on
Step 3 — your small-claims packet: the right form for your county, filled in
Where to file, what it costs, and how to serve your landlord
Evidence checklist, with your certified receipt as Exhibit A
Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
Attorney referral if it is still unresolved after 21 days

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TenantNex is not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.