Maryland Tenant Rights

What Are Common Maryland Tenant Rights?

Yes, even renters have a Maryland tenant right. Although it’s always such a big deal to be a homeowner, and there’s so much involved when it comes to real estate law, even when it concerns tenants and apartments and even rental houses, certain Maryland tenant rights need to be explained:

The Lowdown on Maryland Tenant Rights

It’s important to know all of this about Maryland tenant rights:

1. Maryland Evictions

2. Maryland Security Deposits

3. Normal Wear and Tear

4. Section 8

5. Tenant Screening

On the subject of evictions, Maryland tenant rights are simple in that all residents are given a certain timeline in which they must vacate the premises.

In addition, when it comes to Maryland security deposits, a Maryland tenant right specifies that no rental place can require a resident to pay a security deposit that is more than two months’ rent, or just $50. Whatever is more would be the established law pertaining to Maryland tenant rights. That Maryland tenant right, too, allows a renter to receive a receipt for the deposit, which can also be included in the lease.

Surprisingly, by law a landlord can actually be fined for not providing that receipt.

In addition, there’s a Maryland tenant right, allowing a tenant to be present during an inspection before and after the rental agreement – before moving in and before moving out.

Section 8 is also a very valid part of MD tenant rights, allowing individuals and/or families to have resources in low-income housing. Typically, though, not everyone can qualify for Section 8 under MD tenant rights. There is a voucher program available under MD tenant rights necessary to be approved under Section 8, and usually there’s a waiting list.

To qualify for Section 8, you have to fit a certain income level. And the type of housing is contingent on the size of the family.

Under MD tenant rights, too, tenant screenings are allowed, so long as it doesn’t include anything like ethnic origin, race, religious background, disability, or any other personal information. According to MD tenant rights, what is a ‘tenant screening’? Basically, it’s a landlord’s right to check on a prospective tenant’s history. Everything from:

1. Credit Score

2. Criminal Background

3. Evictions

4. Bankruptcies

Anything that can lend some information to the landlord about the quality of tenant.

A credit score can say a lot about a prospective tenant –

1. Will the Tenant Pay Rent on Time?

2. Will the Tenant Pay Other Utilities on Time?

3. Will the Tenant Be Able to Pay a Security Deposit?

Of course, a criminal background check will tell a landlord a lot about a prospective tenant’s ability to keep a house or apartment clean, keep it safe, and keep a landlord legally safe as well.

Evictions and bankruptcies are also big red flags for a landlord to consider a certain tenant, and that landlord is perfectly within his or her rights to turn away a potential tenant based on those records.

All that’s required of a tenant is to allow a landlord the right to obtain a credit report before making a decision on handing over the keys of the house or apartment with a rental agreement.