Maryland’s New Tenants’ Bill of Rights: What Property Managers Must Do to Stay Compliant in 2025

Maryland is making a historic shift in landlord-tenant law. Beginning July 1, 2025, every new residential lease in the state must include the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights. This requirement, created by the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024, is the first statewide mandate of its kind in the nation. It signals a new era of transparency, tenant protection, and accountability for property owners and managers across Maryland.

For property managers, this is more than a paperwork change—it represents a major operational and legal shift. Understanding exactly what the Bill of Rights is, how it affects your leases and procedures, and what steps you must take now will determine whether you stay compliant and avoid costly penalties.

What the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights Covers

The Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights is an eight-page summary of the most important tenant protections under state and federal law. It does not replace existing statutes or regulations; rather, it distills them into plain language that must be attached to every lease and renewal after July 1, 2025.

While the specific text may be updated annually, the first version released covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Application fees and screening procedures – Limits on application fees, disclosure of screening criteria, and rules for when a landlord must accept a tenant-provided screening report.
   

• Leases and tenancy terms – Requirements for written leases, prohibited clauses, mandatory disclosures, and clear allocation of utility responsibilities.
   

• Rent and rent increases – Mandatory notice periods for rent hikes and caps on late fees.
   

• Security deposits – Rules on collection, interest accrual, permissible deductions, and timelines for return after move-out.
   

• Habitability and maintenance – Minimum standards for safety, working systems, pest control, and prompt response to repair requests.
   

• Eviction and tenant rights – Proper notice requirements, tenant rights to contest or delay eviction, and protections against retaliation.
   

• Right of First Refusal – A tenant’s right to match a third-party purchase offer when their unit is offered for sale.
   

• Prohibited landlord actions – Bans on waivers of tenant rights, discriminatory practices, and other unfair terms.
   

The state’s new Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs will publish an updated Bill of Rights each September, taking effect October 1, to reflect any new laws or rules. This means compliance is not a one-time event—property managers will need to check for updates annually.

Why Compliance Matters

Failing to comply with the Bill of Rights is not a minor paperwork issue. Property managers who ignore the requirement risk invalid lease provisions, rent escrow claims, lawsuits, fines, and reputational damage. Tenants will be more aware of their rights, regulators will have clearer grounds for enforcement, and advocacy groups will be monitoring compliance closely.

By contrast, property managers who embrace the new rules stand to benefit from smoother operations, fewer disputes, and stronger tenant relationships. In an era of heightened scrutiny over hidden fees, habitability, and fair treatment, proactively aligning with these standards can set your business apart.

Steps Property Managers Must Take to Stay Compliant

1. Update All Lease Templates

Every new lease or renewal executed on or after July 1, 2025 must have the current version of the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights attached. Review all of your template forms—including fixed-term, month-to-month, and renewal agreements—to ensure the attachment is embedded or included as an addendum. Because the document will be updated annually, you’ll need a system to swap in the newest version each year.

2. Revise Disclosures and Lease Clauses

The Bill of Rights reinforces existing legal requirements about disclosures and prohibits certain lease terms. Double-check your leases for clauses that waive tenant rights, shorten statutory notice periods, or impose illegal fees. Update utility disclosures to show who pays for heat, electricity, water, and other services, and explain how billing is handled in master-metered or ratio utility billing situations. Make sure late fees and notice periods for rent increases comply with current law.

3. Audit Application and Screening Practices

If you manage five or more units, application fees are capped at $25 when you conduct your own screening. If a tenant provides a screening report less than 30 days old, you cannot charge an application fee at all. Adjust your policies, application forms, and staff training to reflect these limits. Transparency about screening criteria and fee refunds is also essential.

4. Review Security Deposit Handling

Security deposits must be receipted, held, and returned according to strict timelines. The Bill of Rights highlights these obligations. Return the deposit, plus interest and an itemized list of deductions, within 45 days of lease termination. Adopt internal processes or software to track interest accrual and automatically generate compliance-ready statements.

5. Maintain Habitability and Document Repairs

Maryland’s law reinforces that landlords and property managers must maintain safe, habitable units. That means functioning heat, electricity, plumbing, structural integrity, and pest-free conditions. Upon receiving a repair request for a condition that endangers health or safety, you must act within a reasonable time frame. Keep detailed logs of repair requests, responses, and inspections to defend against claims or rent escrow actions.

6. Follow Eviction Rules and Anti-Retaliation Protections

Evictions must follow legal process, with proper notices and tenant rights to contest. The Bill of Rights also reminds landlords that retaliation—raising rent or initiating eviction simply because a tenant asserted their rights—is prohibited. Document all decisions and communications carefully to show legitimate grounds for action.

7. Understand the Right of First Refusal

When selling a property, you may need to give tenants the first opportunity to buy. The Bill of Rights explains this right, and you must build procedures to notify tenants and honor the 30-day period to match an offer before proceeding with a sale.

8. Train Staff and Monitor Annual Updates

Because the Bill of Rights will be updated each year, compliance is ongoing. Train leasing agents, maintenance staff, and managers on new requirements. Update your standard operating procedures and lease checklists. Consider appointing someone to monitor regulatory changes and implement the updated Bill of Rights each fall.

Practical Challenges and Tips

Implementing these changes will require effort and planning. Many property managers will need to:

• Retrofit legacy lease forms and templates to include the Bill of Rights.
   

• Adopt better systems for tracking utility billing, security deposit accounting, and notice compliance.
   

• Communicate changes clearly to tenants and staff to reduce confusion.
   

• Balance state requirements with any local ordinances, always applying the stricter standard.
   

Some managers are using software to automate document generation, compliance tracking, and repair logs. Others are hiring legal counsel to review forms and policies. The key is to treat compliance as an ongoing program, not a one-time event.

Benefits of Proactive Compliance

While it may feel like another regulatory burden, the Tenants’ Bill of Rights can also be a marketing advantage. Tenants who see transparent fees, clear maintenance policies, and fair treatment are more likely to renew, refer friends, and leave positive reviews. Reducing disputes and avoiding penalties saves time and money.

Moreover, as federal agencies and other states look to Maryland’s example, early compliance positions you ahead of future regulations. By embracing the new standards, property managers can build trust and protect their business in a changing market.

Getting Started: A Compliance Roadmap

1. Obtain the official Bill of Rights from the Maryland Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs.
    

2. Conduct a lease audit to identify prohibited or outdated clauses.
    

3. Revise application, screening, and fee policies to comply with the new limits.
    

4. Implement systems for deposit accounting, repair tracking, and notice management.
    

5. Train all staff on the new requirements and your updated procedures.
    

6. Communicate changes to prospective and current tenants to foster transparency.
    

7. Check each September for the updated Bill of Rights and integrate it into leases by October.
    

Conclusion

Maryland’s Tenants’ Bill of Rights is a landmark reform designed to give renters clearer information and stronger protections. For property managers, it marks the beginning of a more standardized, transparent approach to leasing. Compliance is not optional, but with proper planning, it can be straightforward.

By updating leases, revising policies, training staff, and monitoring annual updates, property managers can reduce risk, improve tenant relations, and stand out as trustworthy professionals. In 2025 and beyond, those who adapt quickly to Maryland’s new requirements will be best positioned to succeed in an evolving rental market.