Quick answer: A Maryland landlord may not impose a security deposit of more than one month’s rent per dwelling unit, however many tenants live there, with a narrow two-month exception. The last month’s rent paid in advance counts as part of the deposit, and an overcharge can cost the landlord up to three times the extra amount plus attorney’s fees.
This Maryland security deposit limit calculator applies Md. Code, Real Property 8-203(b). Enter the monthly rent, the total of every deposit-type payment and any surety bond: it shows the cap, any overcharge and what the tenant can recover. It also shows the two-month exception for tenants who qualify for utility assistance.
Maryland security deposit rules at a glance
| Rule | What Maryland says |
|---|---|
| Maximum amount | One month’s rent per dwelling unit (Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-203(b)(1)) |
| Exception | Up to two months with utility assistance, utilities paid to the landlord and a written agreement (8-203(b)(2)) |
| What counts | Any payment given to protect the landlord, including the last month’s rent in advance (8-203(a)(3)) |
| Overcharge | Up to three times the extra amount, plus attorney’s fees (8-203(b)(3)) |
| Surety bond | A bond and a deposit together up to two months’ rent; the landlord cannot require one (8-203(i)) |
| Where it is held | An insured, interest-bearing account in Maryland devoted to deposits, within 30 days (8-203(d)) |
| Refund | 45 days after the tenancy ends, with interest (8-203(e)) |
| Receipt | A written receipt that states the tenant’s rights, included in the lease (8-203(c)) |
How does the Maryland deposit law work?
- The cap and the exceptions. See the maximum security deposit in Maryland.
- Pet deposits and fees. See Maryland pet deposits and fees.
- First and last month’s rent and other move-in payments. See up-front charges when renting in Maryland.
What does this deposit calculator check?
It compares the total you enter with one month’s rent, or two months’ rent if the utility-assistance exception applies, and multiplies any excess by three to show the most a tenant may recover. Add every payment given to protect the landlord against unpaid rent or damage, including a pet deposit and the last month’s rent in advance. The cap took effect on October 1, 2024; ask the landlord in writing whether the lease you signed or renewed is covered. The return deadline is a separate question, and so is the interest the landlord owes: see the Maryland security deposit return deadline calculator.
Examples of the Maryland deposit cap
| Monthly rent | Deposit | Result | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $1,500 | Within the cap | One month |
| $1,500 | $2,000 | $500 over the cap | More than one month |
| $1,500 | $1,000 plus last month’s rent $1,500 | $1,000 over the cap | Last month’s rent counts |
| $1,500 | $3,000 with the exception | Within the cap | Two months by written agreement |
These examples show the arithmetic. They are not statements about a particular lease.
Related Maryland landlord-tenant calculators
These four calculators cover the same tenancy from different angles. From here you can go to the Maryland security deposit return deadline calculator for the date the landlord must refund or itemize the deposit, the Maryland eviction notice calculator for the notice period before a lease can end and the Maryland eviction timeline calculator for the earliest legal dates once an eviction case starts. Each one cites its own Maryland statutes and shows only what the law says.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum security deposit in Maryland?
One month’s rent per dwelling unit.
Can a landlord ask for two months in some cases?
Yes, if the tenant qualifies for utility assistance, the lease has the tenant pay utilities to the landlord and both agree in writing.
Does the last month’s rent count toward the cap?
Yes. A security deposit includes the last month’s rent paid in advance.
What can a tenant recover for an overcharge?
Up to three times the extra amount, plus reasonable attorney’s fees.
Can a landlord require a surety bond?
No. A bond and a deposit together may not exceed two months’ rent.
Where must the deposit be held?
In an insured, interest-bearing account in a Maryland branch devoted to security deposits.