Maryland Residential Rental Application

Property Applying For: [[Property Full Address, City, MD ZIP]]

Monthly Rent: $[[Monthly Rent]]
Security Deposit: $[[Security Deposit Amount]]
Lease Term Desired: [[e.g., 12 months starting [[Proposed Move-in Date]]]]

Application Date: [[Application Date]]

Landlord / Management Company: [[Landlord or Management Company Name]]
Contact for Questions: [[Phone]] | [[Email]]

This application is used to evaluate suitability for tenancy. All information provided will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law and used only for screening purposes. Maryland landlords may charge an application fee but must refund it if the unit is unavailable or the applicant is rejected without a credit or background check having been performed. The fee may not exceed the actual cost of screening.

1. Applicant Information

Full Legal Name: [[Applicant Full Legal Name]]
Date of Birth: [[MM/DD/YYYY]]
Social Security Number: [[XXX-XX-XXXX]] (last 4 may be requested later for screening)
Driver's License / State ID: [[State and Number]]
Phone: [[Primary Phone]]
Email: [[Email Address]]
Current Address: [[Current Street, City, State, ZIP]]
How Long at Current Address: [[Years / Months]]
Reason for Moving: [[Reason]]

Co-Applicant / Additional Adult Occupant(s):
[[Full Name(s), Relationship, DOB, Phone, Email or "None"]]

2. Household Members and Occupants

List all persons who will reside in the unit (including children):

Total Number of Occupants: [[Number]]

3. Employment and Income Information

Current Employer: [[Employer Name]]
Employer Address: [[Address]]
Job Title: [[Job Title]]
Supervisor / HR Contact: [[Name and Phone]]
Employment Start Date: [[Start Date]]
Monthly Gross Income: $[[Gross Monthly Income]]
Other Income Sources (alimony, child support, SSI, etc., optional but may be considered): [[Describe or "None"]] $[[Amount]]

Previous Employer (if current employment < 2 years): [[Previous Employer, Dates, Income]]

Co-Applicant Employment: [[Details or "N/A"]]

4. Rental / Residency History (last 3 years preferred)

Current Landlord / Property Manager: [[Name]] Phone: [[Phone]]
Monthly Rent Paid: $[[Amount]]
Dates of Tenancy: [[From, To]]
Reason for Leaving: [[Reason]]

Previous Landlord: [[Name]] Phone: [[Phone]]
Address: [[Previous Address]]
Dates: [[From, To]]
Reason for Leaving: [[Reason]]

Have you ever been evicted or had an eviction filed against you? [[Yes / No]]
If yes, explain: [[Explanation]]

Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit involving a landlord/tenant matter? [[Yes / No]]
Details: [[Details]]

5. Credit, Criminal, and Background Information

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? [[Yes / No]] Year(s): [[Year]]

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than minor traffic)? [[Yes / No]]
If yes, describe (nature, date, jurisdiction, outcome): [[Description]]

Do you have any outstanding judgments, liens, or collections? [[Yes / No]]
Details: [[Details]]

6. Application / Screening Fee Disclosure (Md. Code Ann., Real Property § 8-213)

Application Fee Amount: $[[Application Fee Amount]] (payable to [[Payee]])

Per Maryland law:
- The fee covers the actual cost of obtaining credit reports, background checks, or other screening.
- If the unit is unavailable or the applicant is rejected without a credit/background check being performed, the fee (or unspent portion) must be refunded within the time required by law (typically promptly, often within 15 days or as stated).
- Landlords managing 5 or more units are subject to a $25 per applicant cap in many circumstances.
- A receipt will be provided upon payment.

Fee Payment Method: [[Cash / Check # / Money Order / Online, Receipt # [[Receipt]] ]]

Fee Refund Policy Acknowledgment: By signing, Applicant acknowledges the above disclosure. Any refund due will be sent to the address or account provided.

7. Screening Criteria (objective standards applied equally)

Landlord uses the following objective criteria to evaluate applications (subject to fair housing laws):

• Income: Combined gross monthly household income should be at least [[Income Multiple, e.g., 3x]] the monthly rent (or other documented standard).
• Credit: Minimum credit score of [[Minimum Score or "satisfactory payment history"]]; no recent bankruptcies, evictions, or excessive collections.
• Rental History: Positive references from prior landlords; no evictions within [[Time Period]].
• Criminal Background: Evaluated on a case-by-case basis consistent with HUD guidance; violent felonies or certain recent convictions may result in denial.
• Other: [[Any additional neutral criteria, e.g., no more than 2 pets, valid government ID, no smoking inside if prohibited]]

All criteria are applied consistently. Adverse decisions based on consumer reports will be accompanied by the required FCRA adverse action notice.

8. Fair Housing and Nondiscrimination Notice

Landlord complies with the federal Fair Housing Act and Maryland fair housing laws. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, or any other protected class under applicable law.

Source of Income: In jurisdictions where source-of-income discrimination is prohibited (including certain Maryland localities and programs), applicants will not be denied solely because of lawful source of income (e.g., Section 8, other subsidies).

If you believe you have been discriminated against, you may contact the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights or HUD.

9. Pets, Vehicles, and Additional Information

Pets: [[None / Describe number, type, weight, service/assistance animal status]]

Vehicles: [[Number, Make/Model, License Plate(s)]]

Do you smoke? [[Yes / No]] (Inside policy: [[Prohibited / Designated areas only]])

Emergency Contact (not residing with you): [[Name, Relationship, Phone]]

Other Information You Wish to Provide: [[Optional]]

10. FCRA Authorization and Consent for Screening

I/we authorize Landlord, its agents, or screening service to obtain consumer reports (credit, criminal, eviction, employment, and rental history) for the purpose of evaluating this rental application. This authorization is valid for the application process and any updates during tenancy as permitted by law.

I/we understand that:
- A consumer report may be obtained.
- If any adverse action (denial, higher deposit, etc.) is taken based in whole or in part on a consumer report, I will receive a copy of the report and a summary of rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and an adverse action notice identifying the reporting agency.
- I may dispute inaccurate information directly with the reporting agency.

Applicant Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Application Date]]

Printed Name: [[Applicant Full Legal Name]]

Co-Applicant Signature (if applicable): _______________________________ Date: [[Application Date]]

Printed Name: [[Co-Applicant Full Legal Name]]

11. Certification and Acknowledgment

I/we certify that all information provided in this application is true, complete, and accurate to the best of my/our knowledge. I/we understand that any false statement or omission may result in denial of the application or termination of any tenancy granted.

I/we have received, read, and understand the fee disclosure, screening criteria, and fair housing notice above.

Applicant Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Application Date]]

Printed Name: [[Applicant Full Legal Name]]

Co-Applicant Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Application Date]]

Printed Name: [[Co-Applicant Full Legal Name]]

Landlord / Agent Acknowledgment of Receipt: _______________________________ Date: [[Date Received]]

12. For Office Use Only

Date Received: [[Date]]
Fee Received: $[[Amount]] Receipt #: [[Number]]
Screening Ordered: [[Date]] Agency: [[Name]]
Report Received: [[Date]]
Decision: [[Approved / Denied / Approved with Conditions]]
Adverse Action Notice Sent (if applicable): [[Date]]
Notes: [[Internal notes only]], -

Statutory References (Maryland, as of June 2026)

> ⚠️ Template only, not legal advice. This Maryland Residential Rental Application is a sample. Application fees, screening practices, and adverse action procedures must comply with current Maryland law and the federal FCRA. Landlords should consult legal counsel to customize forms and ensure local ordinances (including source-of-income rules) are followed. User-supplied values appear as `[[Token Name]]`.

*Sources: Md. Code Ann., Real Property § 8-213; FTC FCRA materials; Maryland People's Law Library (as of June 2026).*