Maryland · Repairs · Updated Oct 2026

Maryland tenant repair rights

What a landlord in Maryland must keep in repair, how to ask for repairs, whether you can repair and deduct or withhold rent, and the protection against retaliation.

Short answer

The landlord must repair conditions that are a fire hazard or a serious threat to life, health or safety, such as no heat, light, electricity, hot or cold water; inadequate sewage; rodents in two or more units; dangerous structural defects; or other health or fire hazards (Real Prop. §8-211).

Repair and deduct
No statute
Withholding rent
Allowed (with conditions)
Notice before entry
No statute

Repairs in Maryland

The landlord's duty
The landlord must repair conditions that are a fire hazard or a serious threat to life, health or safety, such as no heat, light, electricity, hot or cold water; inadequate sewage; rodents in two or more units; dangerous structural defects; or other health or fire hazards (Real Prop. §8-211). Local housing codes add duties. Since October 1, 2026, some apartment buildings with 10 or more units (new buildings, units where air conditioning was provided or required by the lease after January 1, 2025, and some renovated units) must have air conditioning able to keep the unit at 80 degrees or cooler from June 1 to September 30 (per DHCD).
How to ask for repairs
Send the landlord a written list of the defects by certified mail and keep proof. Allow a reasonable time (more than 30 days is presumed unreasonable; less for urgent problems).
Repair and deduct
no statute
Withholding rent
Allowed through rent escrow. After written notice by certified mail (or actual notice, or a government violation notice), the landlord has a reasonable time to fix serious defects; more than 30 days is presumed unreasonable. Then you can file a rent escrow case and pay rent into court, or stop paying and raise the defects as a defense if sued for rent. You must pay the rent into court when ordered. The court can reduce rent, order repairs, or end the lease. Not available if you have 3 or more judgments for unpaid rent in the past 12 months (monthly tenancy) or you caused the problem (§8-211).
Law
Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-211

Landlord entry in Maryland

no statute statewide; check your lease and local law (some counties have their own rules).

Retaliation in Maryland

The landlord may not file or threaten eviction, arbitrarily raise rent, cut services, or end a periodic tenancy because you made a good-faith complaint to the landlord or a public agency, sued or testified against the landlord, joined a tenants' organization, or called police or emergency services. Protection covers actions within 6 months of your protected act, and you must be current on rent (unless lawfully in rent escrow). Remedy: up to 3 months' rent, attorney's fees and costs (§8-208.1).

Get repairs made, step by step

  1. Write down the problem and take dated photos or video.
  2. Ask in writing and keep a copy. In Maryland: Send the landlord a written list of the defects by certified mail and keep proof.
  3. Give the landlord the time the rule allows, and let them in to do the work with proper notice.
  4. If nothing happens, call your local housing or code inspector and talk to legal aid before you stop paying any rent.
  5. Keep paying rent unless the rule above lets you withhold it and you follow its steps exactly.

Repair request letter for Maryland

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Your letter is made in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.

The name on your lease or rent receipts.

What needs repair? (required)

Your state's rule on repair requests is shown below the form.

Maryland's rule on asking for repairs:Send the landlord a written list of the defects by certified mail and keep proof. Allow a reasonable time (more than 30 days is presumed unreasonable; less for urgent problems).

Dates, rooms and how the problem affects you. This text goes into the letter as written.

Where to get free help in Maryland

Questions about repairs in Maryland

How do I ask my landlord for repairs in Maryland?

Send the landlord a written list of the defects by certified mail and keep proof. Allow a reasonable time (more than 30 days is presumed unreasonable; less for urgent problems).

Can I repair and deduct the cost from rent in Maryland?

no statute

Can I withhold rent for repairs in Maryland?

Allowed through rent escrow. After written notice by certified mail (or actual notice, or a government violation notice), the landlord has a reasonable time to fix serious defects; more than 30 days is presumed unreasonable. Then you can file a rent escrow case and pay rent into court, or stop paying and raise the defects as a defense if sued for rent. You must pay the rent into court when ordered. The court can reduce rent, order repairs, or end the lease. Not available if you have 3 or more judgments for unpaid rent in the past 12 months (monthly tenancy) or you caused the problem (§8-211).

How much notice does a landlord need to enter in Maryland?

no statute statewide; check your lease and local law (some counties have their own rules).

Can my landlord retaliate if I complain in Maryland?

The landlord may not file or threaten eviction, arbitrarily raise rent, cut services, or end a periodic tenancy because you made a good-faith complaint to the landlord or a public agency, sued or testified against the landlord, joined a tenants' organization, or called police or emergency services. Protection covers actions within 6 months of your protected act, and you must be current on rent (unless lawfully in rent escrow). Remedy: up to 3 months' rent, attorney's fees and costs (§8-208.1).

More for Maryland renters

Repairs in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.