Make a Maryland Rental Application

The Maryland Rental Application Process

The Maryland rental application allows landlords to verify a prospective tenant's background information and credit history before signing a lease agreement. In Maryland, a landlord may retain an application fee of $25 or less. If the fee requested is more than $25, the landlord must refund any amount that was not used to process the application within fifteen (15) days of receipt. Maine Fair Housing laws prohibit discrimination against an applicant based on race, religion, color, sexual preference, familial status, or disability.

In Maryland, landlords may not ask for more than two (2) months' rent for a security deposit.

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A Sample Maryland Rental Application with Examples for Each Step

The rental application should include the following sections:

• Prospective Property including complete address, type of unit, square footage, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, start date, and monthly rent
• Personal Information about the Applicant including full name, date of birth, social security number, photo ID (driver's license number or Maryland state ID), current address, phone number/cell phone number, and email address
• Rental History for the last three rental addresses, including current/previous address(es), name and phone number of landlord/manager, rent paid, how long they lived at the address, and reason for leaving
• Employment History/Income for the last five years, including current/previous employer(s), address, position, dates of employment, supervisor name and phone number, monthly income, other sources of income, monthly income, name, address, and phone number of provider, bank account(s)/bank balance(s), and credit card accounts
• Other Occupants/Roommates including full name, date of birth, and relationship to the prospective tenant
• Personal References including name, phone number, and how long known; the prospective tenant must initial this section to give the landlord permission to contact the references; the references should not be related to the applicant
• Emergency Contact including name, address, phone number(s), and relationship to the prospective tenant
• Vehicles including make/model, year, and license plate number/state
• Pet Information if any; if there are any restrictions or fees regarding pets on the property, they should be listed on the rental application
• Personal History/Statement including the need for a service animal or accessibility needs, prior evictions, prior bankruptcies, and prior criminal convictions
• Dated Agreement and Authorized Signature including consent to a credit/criminal background check and documentation of the application fee

Rental Application Resources for Tenants in Maryland

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development    

2-1-1 Maryland (Maryland Attorney General Consumer Protection Division)                                 

Fair Housing Action Center of Maryland       

My Family Needs ___. (Landlord & Tenant Hotline)    

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  

Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs   

Montgomery County Renters Alliance, Inc.   

Maryland Rental Application Laws

Maryland allows landlords to require a deposit of 2 (two) months’ rent and must return this deposit within 45 days after the lease is terminated. Additionally, landlords must pay back interest on deposits greater than $50 at 1.5% interest or the current rate at the U.S Treasury, whichever is greater (Md. Code Ann. [Real Prop.] § 8-203, § 8-203.1, § 8-208)