New Maryland Landlord-Tenant Laws in Effect

As of October 1, 2026, Maryland has officially implemented new legislation governing real property and landlord-tenant relationships. These updates represent a shift in how housing providers must handle applicant screening and lease management within the state.

A key component of the new law is the prohibition against denying rental applicants based on their source of income, specifically regarding whether or not they receive housing subsidies. Unless federal law dictates otherwise, landlords are now restricted from declining applicants solely because they utilize voucher programs.

Furthermore, the legislation introduces stricter requirements for transparency during the application process. If a housing provider decides to withdraw a conditional offer based on an applicant's criminal history, they are now legally required to provide the specific reason for that withdrawal, offering applicants a clearer understanding of the decision-making process.