Cal. Civ. Code § 8-203.1
Md. Code Ann., Real Property Art. Title 8 — Landlord and Tenant
Operative Text
(a) A receipt for a security deposit shall notify the tenant of the following: (1) The right to have the dwelling unit inspected by the landlord in the tenant’s presence for the purpose of making a written list of damages that exist at the commencement of the tenancy if the tenant so requests by certified mail within 15 days of the tenant’s occupancy; (2) The right to be present when the landlord inspects the premises at the end of the tenancy in order to determine if any damage was done to the premises if the tenant notifies the landlord by certified mail at least 15 days prior to the date of the tenant’s intended move, of the tenant’s intention to move, the date of moving, and the tenant’s new address; (3) The landlord’s obligation to conduct the inspection within 5 days before or after the tenant’s stated date of intended moving; (4) The landlord’s obligation to notify the tenant in writing of the date of the inspection; (5) The tenant’s right to receive, by first–class mail, delivered to the last known address of the tenant, a written list of the charges against the security deposit claimed by the landlord and the actual costs, within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy; (6) The obligation of the landlord to return any unused portion of the security deposit, by first–class mail, addressed to the tenant’s last known address within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy; and (7) A statement that failure of the landlord to comply with the security deposit law may result in the landlord being liable to the tenant for a penalty of up to 3 times the security deposit withheld, plus reasonable attorney’s fees. (b) The landlord shall retain a copy of the receipt for a period of 2 years after the termination of the tenancy, abandonment of the premises, or eviction of the tenant, as the case may be. (c) The landlord shall be liable to the tenant in the sum of $25 if the landlord fails to provide a written receipt for the security deposit.
Under Maryland Real Property § 8-203.1, when a landlord collects a security deposit, the receipt given to the tenant must include a specific set of disclosures — covering inspection rights at move-in and move-out, timelines for returning the deposit or itemizing deductions, and the consequences of noncompliance. Landlords are required to keep a copy of that receipt for two years after the tenancy ends. A landlord who fails to provide any written receipt at all faces a $25 liability, and broader noncompliance with the security deposit law can expose the landlord to a penalty of up to three times the withheld deposit plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Maryland Real Property § 8-203.1 generally issue a written security deposit receipt at the time of collection that covers all seven required disclosures — including move-in and move-out inspection rights, the 45-day return and itemization deadlines, and the statutory penalty notice. Compliant operators retain a copy of that receipt for the full two-year post-tenancy period. Failing to issue any receipt at all creates an automatic $25 liability, and broader failures around the deposit itself can trigger penalties of up to three times the amount withheld.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Maryland Real Property § 8-203.1 entitles tenants to a written receipt when they pay a security deposit, and that receipt must spell out key rights — including the right to request a move-in inspection within 15 days of occupancy (by certified mail) and the right to be present at a move-out inspection if proper notice is given. If a landlord never provides a receipt, the landlord is liable for $25; if the landlord fails more broadly to comply with the security deposit law, the potential penalty can reach three times the withheld deposit plus attorney's fees. Tenants who believe these rights have been violated may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization, raising the violation in a court proceeding, or reviewing resources from Maryland's courts on small claims procedures.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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