Maryland Lease Renewal / Rent Increase Notice

Notice Date: [[Notice Date]]

Landlord / Property Manager: [[Landlord Full Name or Company]]
Property Address: [[Property Full Address]], [[City]], MD [[ZIP Code]]

Tenant(s): [[Tenant Full Name(s)]]

This document provides a complete, Maryland-compliant written notice of lease renewal and/or rent adjustment. It satisfies the requirements of Md. Code Ann., Real Property § 8-208.2 and § 8-209 for rent increases and modifications to periodic tenancies.

All user-provided information appears as `[[Token Name]]` placeholders. Maryland imposes no statewide rent control, though certain local jurisdictions (such as Takoma Park) may apply rent increase caps or additional notice rules. The minimum statutory notice for a rent increase on a tenancy longer than one month is 90 days.

1. Maryland notice requirements for rent increases, Md. Code Ann., Real Property § 8-208.2 and § 8-209

Under Maryland law, a landlord must provide written notice before increasing rent on a residential tenancy.

• For any tenancy longer than one month (including most fixed-term leases that convert to month-to-month and ongoing month-to-month tenancies), the landlord must give at least 90 days' advance written notice before the rent increase takes effect.
• The notice must state the new rent amount and the effective date of the increase.
• Notice must be delivered in accordance with the lease terms, typically by first-class mail or hand delivery; electronic delivery is permitted only if the tenant previously agreed in writing.
• For week-to-week tenancies the minimum is shorter (60 days per some interpretations), but the 90-day floor applies to the great majority of residential leases.
• No rent increase may take effect before the end of the current lease term unless the lease expressly allows mid-term adjustments and proper notice is given.

Tenancy Type for This Notice: [[Month-to-Month / Fixed Term Lease Ending [[Lease Expiration Date]] / Other]]

Required Minimum Notice Period Applied: 90 days

Effective Date of Rent Increase: [[Effective Date of New Rent]]

2. Confirmation that Maryland has no statewide rent control or statutory caps

Maryland does not have statewide rent control, rent stabilization, or any statutory limit on the amount or frequency of rent increases for most privately owned residential rental property.

• Landlords may set new rents at market rates subject only to the 90-day notice requirement and any lease provisions.
• Local jurisdictions may impose additional limits. Examples include the City of Takoma Park, which maintains its own rent stabilization program with caps and registration requirements.
• Increases must not be retaliatory or discriminatory in violation of the Maryland Fair Housing laws or federal Fair Housing Act.

Statewide Rent Control / Cap Status: None. No statutory cap on increase amount or frequency.

Local Ordinance Check: [[No applicable local rent control / Takoma Park or other local rules apply, see attached summary dated [[Local Check Date]]]]

3. Renewal terms, new rent amount, lease term, any changed conditions

The following terms will apply beginning on the Effective Date unless the tenant provides timely written notice of non-renewal or the parties execute a new written lease agreement.

Current Lease Terms
- Monthly Rent: [[Current Monthly Rent]]
- Lease Type / Term: [[Current Lease Type and End Date]]
- Additional Monthly Charges: [[Current Additional Charges, e.g. pet rent, parking, utilities]]

Proposed New Terms Effective [[Effective Date]]
- New Monthly Rent: [[New Monthly Rent]]
- New Lease Type / Term: [[Month-to-Month / New Fixed Term ending [[New End Date]]]]
- New Lease Start Date: [[New Lease Start Date]]
- New Lease End Date (if fixed): [[New Lease End Date]]
- Changed Additional Charges: [[New or Unchanged Additional Charges]]
- Other Modified Conditions: [[Description of Any Other Changed Terms or "None"]]

Dollar Increase: $[[Dollar Amount of Increase]] per month
Percentage Increase: [[Percentage Increase]]%

The tenant is not obligated to accept the new terms. If the tenant does not agree and provides proper notice, the tenancy will end in accordance with the lease and Maryland law.

4. Tenant / landlord names, property address, current and new rent, effective date

Property: [[Property Full Street Address, City, MD ZIP]]

Landlord / Authorized Agent
Name: [[Landlord Full Name or Management Company]]
Mailing Address: [[Landlord Mailing Address]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone]]
Email: [[Landlord Email]]

Tenant(s)
Name(s): [[Tenant Full Name(s)]]
Current Address (if different): [[Current Tenant Mailing Address]]

Rent Summary
- Current Monthly Rent: [[Current Monthly Rent]]
- New Monthly Rent Effective [[Effective Date]]: [[New Monthly Rent]]
- Rent Due Date: [[Day of Month, e.g., 1st]]
- Payment Method: [[Payment Method and Address / Portal]]

Effective Date of New Rent / Terms: [[Effective Date]]

5. Method and proof of service (first-class mail or hand delivery per lease and Md. Code Ann., Real Property § 8-208.2)

Maryland requires that the rent increase notice be served in the manner specified in the lease or by first-class mail or personal delivery. Electronic methods require prior tenant consent.

Landlord must retain proof of service for records.

Service Method Used for This Notice
- [[First-Class Mail with Certificate of Mailing, Postmarked [[Postmark Date]] ]]
- [[Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, Tracking # [[Tracking Number]] ]]
- [[Personal / Hand Delivery on [[Delivery Date]] to [[Recipient Name]] ]]
- [[Electronic Delivery (tenant previously consented): [[Method]] on [[Date]] ]]

Proof of Service Attached or Retained: [[Yes, certificate of mailing / signed receipt / delivery log / portal record]]

6. References to existing lease and any local ordinance

This notice is issued pursuant to the terms of the Residential Lease Agreement dated [[Original Lease Date]] between Landlord and Tenant for the Premises at [[Property Full Address]] (the "Lease").

• All terms of the original Lease not expressly modified by this notice remain in full force and effect.
• If the Lease contains specific renewal or notice provisions that differ from this template, the Lease provisions control provided they meet or exceed statutory minimums.
• Local rent-increase rules (if any) were checked on [[Date of Local Ordinance Check]].

Governing Lease Reference: [[Lease Date and Parties]]

Any Addenda or Amendments to Lease: [[List or "None"]]

Applicable Local Rules: [[None / Takoma Park rent stabilization registration # [[Number]] / Other: [[Describe]]]]

7. Tenant response / acceptance section

Tenant must respond in writing by the deadline stated below if the tenant wishes to:

• Accept the new rent and/or terms and continue the tenancy
• Negotiate different terms
• Provide notice of non-renewal / vacate at the end of the current term

Tenant Response Deadline: [[Response Deadline Date]] (recommended at least 14 days before the Effective Date)

Tenant Response Options (check one and sign below)

☐ I accept the new monthly rent of [[New Monthly Rent]] and all other proposed terms effective [[Effective Date]]. I will continue the tenancy under the modified terms.

☐ I wish to negotiate different terms. I will contact Landlord in writing by [[Negotiation Response Date]].

☐ I will vacate the Premises on or before [[Lease Expiration or Vacate Date]] in accordance with the Lease and Maryland law. I understand that failure to vacate may result in holdover proceedings.

Tenant Signature / Response
Tenant 1: ______________________________ Date: _____________
Printed Name: [[Tenant Full Name(s)]]

Tenant 2 (if applicable): ______________________________ Date: _____________
Printed Name: [[Tenant Full Name(s)]]

8. Signature / date block, Landlord

Landlord / Authorized Agent

I certify that this notice has been prepared and will be served in accordance with the Lease and Md. Code Ann., Real Property §§ 8-208.2 and 8-209.

Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Notice Date]]

Printed Name: [[Landlord Signatory Name]]

Title: [[Landlord / Property Manager / Authorized Agent]]

Company: [[Landlord or Management Company Name]]

Address: [[Landlord Mailing Address]]

Phone: [[Landlord Phone Number]]

Email: [[Landlord Email Address]]

9. Sample notice letter (full text with [[Token]] placeholders)

MARYLAND LEASE RENEWAL / RENT INCREASE NOTICE

[[Notice Date]]

[[Tenant Full Name(s)]]
[[Property Full Street Address]]
[[City]], MD [[ZIP Code]]

Re: Lease Renewal and Rent Adjustment, [[Property Full Address]]

Dear [[Tenant Full Name(s)]]:

Your current lease agreement for the above-referenced Premises is scheduled to [[expire on [[Lease Expiration Date]] / convert to month-to-month]].

This notice informs you that, effective [[Effective Date]], the monthly rent for the Premises will increase from [[Current Monthly Rent]] to [[New Monthly Rent]] per month.

The following terms will apply:

• New lease term: [[Month-to-Month / New Fixed Term ending [[New End Date]]]]
• [[Any other specific change: e.g., "Pet rent will increase to $[[Amount]]/month" or "No other changes"]]

Maryland has no statewide rent control. This adjustment reflects current market conditions and operating costs. Local rules, if any, were reviewed.

Please review the detailed terms above. If you wish to continue under the new terms, sign and return one copy of this notice (or provide written acceptance) by [[Response Deadline Date]]. If you do not accept, provide written notice of your intent to vacate as required by your lease.

We value you as a tenant and hope you will renew. Contact [[Landlord Phone Number]] or [[Landlord Email Address]] with questions.

Sincerely,

[[Landlord Full Name or Company]]
[[Landlord Mailing Address]]
[[Landlord Phone]] | [[Landlord Email]]

Acceptance / Response (detach and return)

I, [[Tenant Full Name(s)]], acknowledge receipt of this notice on [[Date Received]].

☐ Accept new rent and terms
☐ Will vacate by [[Date]]
☐ Wish to discuss

Signature: ______________________________ Date: _____________

10. Maryland-specific legal notes and disclaimer

Important Maryland Legal Notes

• This notice is based on Md. Code Ann., Real Property §§ 8-208.2 and 8-209 (rent increase notice requirements) and related provisions governing termination and modification of tenancies.
• The statutory minimum notice for rent increases on tenancies longer than one month is 90 days. Local jurisdictions may require more.
• Maryland has no statewide rent control or statutory caps on rent increases.
• Retaliatory rent increases (in response to tenant exercising legal rights) are prohibited.
• Tenants may have additional protections under federal law (e.g., Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) or specific lease language.
• Always verify current local ordinances in the jurisdiction where the property is located.

Professional Advice Disclaimer

This is a template form only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent increases and lease modifications involve important legal rights. Landlords and tenants should consult a licensed Maryland attorney or qualified property management professional familiar with current Maryland law before using or responding to this notice. Requirements can change; verify against the current Maryland Code and any applicable local rules as of the date of service.

Landlord Certification

I certify under penalty of perjury that the information in this notice is true and that I have a good-faith basis for the proposed changes.

Landlord Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Notice Date]]

Printed Name: [[Landlord Full Name]]

11. Handling tenant responses, negotiations, and disputes

Landlords should prepare for common tenant reactions and document every step.

If Tenant Accepts
- Update the lease or prepare a lease amendment or new lease agreement reflecting the new terms.
- Obtain signed copy and retain in the tenant file.
- Update rent rolls, accounting, and tenant portal before the effective date.
- Confirm any changed payment instructions in writing.

If Tenant Negotiates
- Respond in writing within a reasonable time (ideally 48-72 hours).
- Document all counter-offers.
- Only agree to changes in writing signed by both parties.
- If no agreement, treat as non-renewal and prepare for vacancy or appropriate proceedings.

If Tenant Provides Notice to Vacate or Fails to Respond
- Confirm receipt of written non-renewal.
- Market the unit per lease move-out terms.
- If tenant holds over after proper notice, follow Maryland summary ejectment procedures (Md. Code Ann., Real Property § 8-401 et seq.). Do not accept rent without written agreement creating new tenancy.

Dispute Prevention Tips
- Deliver notices early (well more than 90 days).
- Use consistent written communication.
- Keep copies of everything including proof of service.
- Avoid verbal agreements on material terms.

12. Record retention and follow-up after service

Recommended Recordkeeping
- Copy of the notice as served.
- Proof of service (mail certificate, receipt, delivery log).
- Any tenant response or acknowledgment.
- Updated lease or amendment if accepted.
- Internal notes on negotiations (date, time, parties, summary).

Retain records for at least [[Record Retention Period, e.g. 4 years]] after the tenancy ends, or longer if a dispute is anticipated.

Follow-Up Calendar
- [[Effective Date minus 21 days]]: Confirm tenant decision if none received.
- [[Effective Date]]: Verify rent payment at new rate or unit vacant.
- [[Effective Date plus 7 days]]: Update property management software and accounting., -

Statutory References (Maryland, as of June 2026)

> ⚠️ Template only, not legal advice. This Maryland Lease Renewal / Rent Increase Notice is a sample. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Verify all notice periods, service methods, and lease-specific provisions against the current Maryland Code Annotated and the governing lease before service. Consult a Maryland-licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation. User-supplied values appear as `[[Token Name]]`.

*Sources: Md. Code Ann., Real Property §§ 8-208.2, 8-209, 8-402 (LexisNexis / Maryland General Assembly as of June 2026); Maryland People's Law Library; local jurisdiction ordinances. No statewide rent control in Maryland.*