Maryland Room Rental Agreement Template

An agreement for renting one bedroom in a shared home, with private and shared areas, house rules, a fair utility split and clear notice terms. This edition fills in the Maryland rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.

Maryland rules for this form

Deposit limit. A security deposit may not exceed one month's rent per unit, with a limited exception up to two months' rent for tenants in a state utility assistance arrangement. (Md. Code, Real Property 8-203)

Deadline to return the deposit. Within 45 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit with interest, less any amounts properly withheld. (Md. Code, Real Property 8-203)

Late fees. A lease may not set a late fee above 5 percent of the rent due for that period; weekly leases have smaller dollar limits. (Md. Code, Real Property 8-208)

Month-to-month notice. A landlord must give at least 60 days of written notice to end a month to month tenancy, while a tenant generally gives 30 days. (Md. Code, Real Property 8-402)

Required disclosures. Homes built before 1978 need the federal lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet. (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d))

Required disclosures. Older rental homes covered by Maryland's lead law must be registered with the Department of the Environment and pass lead inspections at turnover. (Md. Code, Environment Article, Title 6, Subtitle 8 (Reduction of Lead Risk in Housing))

Required disclosures. Residential leases generally must include the Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights published by the state housing department. (Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024)

Cities and counties in Maryland can add their own rules on top of these. Check local ordinances before you sign.

What is in the template

1. Parties
2. The room and shared areas
3. Term
4. Rent
5. Utilities and household costs
6. Security deposit
7. House rules
8. Privacy and entry
9. Care and repairs
10. Ending this Agreement for a breach
11. Moving out
12. General terms
13. Signatures

Before you use it

• A room rental agreement covers one private room plus shared use of common areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
• House rules on guests, quiet hours, cleaning and shared costs prevent most housemate disputes.
• Some states treat a renter who lives with the owner differently, especially for eviction, so check before you rely on it.
• Fair housing law still applies to most room rentals, though some owner-occupied homes have narrow exemptions.

For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the room rental agreement.