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.

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.

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.

When you fill in a simple rental application form for Maryland you’ll need to ask for some crucial details 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 on application fees in Maryland for landlords who rent out five or more units at one location. However, they can only use this money for credit checks or other expenses actually arising out of the application. If the fee exceeds $25 and there is unspent money, you must return the balance to the applicant within 15 days (§ 8-213).

Security Deposit

Maryland landlords can charge up to 2 months' rent as a security deposit for unfurnished apartments (MD Code, Real Property 8-203).

They must provide a receipt and return the deposit with interest (for deposits of $50 or more held for at least six months), minus damages, within 45 days after the lease ends. Overcharging penalties apply (§ 8-203(4)(b)).

Housing Discrimination Law

Maryland has comprehensive state-level protections under the Maryland Fair Housing Act. In addition to the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), state law prohibits discrimination based on:

• Race and Color
• National Origin
• Religion
• Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity
• Marital Status
• Familial Status
• Disability
• Source of Income

As a consequence, you are not allowed to use these details as a basis for rejection 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).

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