Maryland Rent Increase Notice Letter

State Cap: No statute. Maryland has no statewide limit on rent increase amounts, though local jurisdictions (such as Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Takoma Park) have enacted municipal rent stabilization laws (§ 8-209(c)).

Notice Period: Landlords must provide at least 90 days‘ notice for tenancies longer than one month, at least 60 days‘ notice for tenancies lasting one month or less (such as month-to-month), and at least 7 days‘ notice (21 days for oral leases) for weekly tenancies (§ 8-209(b)(3)).

Proof of Service: Landlords must deliver written notice either by first-class mail with a certificate of mailing, or through electronic delivery (email, text message, or electronic tenant portal) providing proof of transmission if elected by the tenant (§ 8-209(b)(1-2)).

Prohibited Acts: Landlords cannot increase rent as retaliation against tenants for reporting housing or health violations, joining a tenants’ organization, or exercising statutory rights (§ 8-208.1), or for discriminatory reasons under the Maryland Fair Housing Act (§ 20-705).