Free Maryland Rental Application Form

A Maryland rental application is a legal document used by landlords and property managers to assess and choose an appropriate tenant for a rental property. They are sometimes known by other common names such as:

• Tenant applications 

• Rental lease applications

• Lease applications

• Application for a rental property

Having a rental application can prove highly important to make sure you get the right tenant into your property. The process of screening prospective residents in this way allows you to discover any issues such as their inability to pay rent or the likelihood to cause a nuisance before signing a contract.

There are two main types of rental applications in Maryland. You must select the most relevant one depending on the type of property being rented, local laws, and the type of leasing agreement that will be used. 

Standard/General Maryland Rental Application

The most common type of vetting document used by MD landlords is the Maryland Standard Rental Application. This form can be customized according to the specific necessities of the property owner or manager. 

Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application 

Landlords of low-income tenants or those offering Section 8 Housing should use a HUD rental application. It is specifically designed to only include information that is allowed under subsidized housing rules. 

When you fill in a simple rental application form for Maryland you’ll need to ask for some crucial data from the tenant to make the vetting process as effective as possible. 

When you create your own application for a rental property you should request the following information:

• Personal data

• Rental history

• Employment details

• Income information

• Credit history

• Personal references

• Permission for background checks

Additionally, the landlord must provide several legal disclosures on a standard rental application. They must report information on:

• The property’s condition

• Potential hazards to the tenant

• Shared utility arrangements

• Rent control rules

• Smoking policy

• The security deposit

• Associated fees

Maryland state has various laws regarding the use of rental applications. If your document is not compliant with MD law, you may get sued by the applicant and face legal consequences. 

Application Fee

There is no limit in terms of what application fee can be charged by Maryland landlords.

If there are any unspent application fees greater than $25 then the landlord must return that unspent money to the applicant within 15 days of their receipt (§ 8-213). 

The only part of the fees that a landlord can keep are those spent on a credit check or other expenses that are spent on behalf of the tenant. 

Security Deposit

Landlords cannot charge more than 2 months’ rent if they are leasing an unfurnished apartment under Maryland law (MD Code, Real Property 8-203).

If the landlord does happen to charge more than the maximum amount, the tenant could receive three times the extra amount charged, as well as lawyer fees (§ 8–203(4)(b)).

The landlord must also provide the tenant with a receipt of the security deposit, which must be included in the written lease. 

The security deposit must then be returned to the tenant, plus interest and less any damages, within 45 days after the tenancy ends.

Housing Discrimination Law

In Maryland, there is no specific state law relating to housing discrimination. However, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is in place. The FHA states that it is illegal to discriminate based on the following characteristics: 

• Race

• Color

• Nationality

• Religion

• Sex

• Familial status

• Disability

• Criminal history

As a consequence, you are not allowed to ask for any of these details on a Maryland Rental Application form nor to include them in the decision-making process. 

Notice of Eligibility

Potential tenants must be informed about the screening criteria and reasons for denial or approval. To prove that these facts were shared, a signature of acknowledgment must be provided within the application or alongside it. 

Consent Credit Check

Within Maryland, federal law is in effect that requires potential renters to provide written consent for a credit history check during the application process. This is known as the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 

Looking over a readily prepared template of a rental application can make it much easier to create your own. Review our document sample below to get more familiar with what your application form will look like when it’s completed.

There are various other legal documents that landlords must take into account when considering new tenants. Get expert guidance on preparing other personalized property forms with our other printable templates for the following legal forms: 

• Maryland Residential Lease Agreement

• Maryland Eviction Notice