Maryland Security Deposit Return Law & Letter
In Maryland, the deposit and an itemized statement are generally due within 45 days of tenancy ending (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203). Build the letter below — deductions listed line by line and the refund math done.
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203 — the deadline to return the deposit and send the itemized statement
Maryland provides for the deposit’s return within 45 days of tenancy ending (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203). 45 days is on the long side — 1 of the 26 states verified here allow more time, and 22 allow less.
| Tenancy ends | Letter must be sent by |
|---|---|
| January 31, 2026 | March 17, 2026 |
| April 15, 2026 | May 30, 2026 |
| July 31, 2026 | September 14, 2026 |
| November 30, 2026 | January 14, 2027 |
What the Maryland letter has to contain
- Every deduction on its own line. Maryland requires an itemized statement rather than a lump sum (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203).
- The arithmetic, shown. Deposit held, each deduction, and the balance refunded or still owed — so nothing has to be taken on trust.
- Where the refund went. The forwarding address you sent it to, and how.
Proving you sent it in time
The deadline is about when the letter left, and in a dispute that is the fact in question. Email gives you a timestamp for nothing; certified mail gives you a receipt. Either beats posting it second class and hoping. Whatever you use, keep the copy you sent — a Maryland deadline you met but cannot evidence is not much better than one you missed.
Working out what you can defensibly deduct is a separate job from writing the letter — that lives on the Maryland deduction page, which prorates each item by its remaining useful life.
Other states: Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · All states
Maryland rule last checked 2026-07-23 against Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203. General information, not legal advice — verify the current statute before you rely on it.
Everything else we’ve researched about Maryland
Same state, the problems either side of this one. Each carries its own statute and the date we last checked it.
- Maryland rent late fees & grace periodWhat may be charged when rent is late, and the notice to send.
- Maryland notice to pay rent or quitHow many days' notice before a nonpayment filing, counted on a calendar.
- Maryland deposit demand letterFor the tenant: whether the landlord is late, and by how many days.
- Maryland deposit deduction rulesWhat may fairly come out of a deposit, prorated by useful life.
- Maryland move-in condition reportThe walkthrough record that decides deposit arguments later.
- Maryland emergency plan rulesDrill frequency, filings, prescribed forms and retention, cited.
Questions people ask
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Maryland?
- In Maryland, the security deposit and an itemized statement of any deductions are generally due within 45 days of tenancy ending (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203). Missing the deadline can forfeit the right to withhold and expose the landlord to added damages. Confirm the current statute for your situation.
- Do deductions have to be itemized?
- Yes — in nearly every state a landlord must provide an itemized statement listing each deduction, not a vague lump sum. This generator lists each deduction on its own line with an amount and does the refund math.
- Is the letter generator free?
- Yes — free, no signup. It itemizes deductions, does the refund math, cites the state deadline, and can email the PDF so the timestamp documents timely delivery.