State of Maryland
This is a legally binding contract. Read it carefully. It affects your legal rights.
Date of Agreement: `[Enter Date]`
Parties: This Residential Lease Agreement ("Lease") is made and entered into by and between the Resident(s) identified below (collectively, "Resident") and **`[Landlord/Agent Name]`** ("Landlord"), for the Premises identified below.
This summary provides key terms for quick reference. The full terms and conditions are detailed in the body of the Lease. In case of any conflict, the body of the Lease and its Addenda shall control.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Property Address | `«Leases.Property»`, `«Leases.City»`, `«Leases.State»` `«Leases.Zip»` |
| Property Owner | `«Property.Account»` |
| Landlord/Agent Name | `[Landlord/Agent Name]` |
| Notice Address | `[Landlord/Agent Notice Address]` |
| Contact Phone | `[Landlord/Agent Phone Number]` |
| Contact Email | `[Landlord/Agent Email Address]` |
| Use of Premises | Strictly for residential purposes by authorized occupants only. |
| Occupancy Limit | `«Unit.Max Number of Occupants Allowed»` |
| Role | Name and Date of Birth |
|---|---|
| Primary Resident | `«Leases.First Name» «Leases.Last Name»` (DOB: `«LECA»`) |
| Co-Resident | `«Leases.Co-Resident 1 Name»` (DOB: `«Leases.Co-Resident 1 DOB»`) |
| Additional Occupant(s) | `«Leases.Addl Occupant 1 Name»` (DOB: `«ADOB1»`) |
| `«Leases.Addl Occupant 2 Name»` (DOB: `«ADOB2»`) |
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Lease Term | `«Leases.Number of months in the lease»` months |
| Lease Start Date | `«Leases.Lease Start»` |
| Lease Expiration Date | `«Leases.Lease expiration»` |
| Notice to Vacate | Resident must provide Landlord a written Notice of Non-Renewal at least sixty (60) days prior to the Lease Expiration Date to terminate this Lease. Failure to do so will result in the Lease automatically converting to a month-to-month tenancy as detailed in Section 4 and the Automatic Renewal Acknowledgment below. |
| Item | Amount | Due Date / Details |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Base Rent | `«Leases.Monthly Rent»` | Due on the 1st day of each month. |
| Prorated Rent | `«Leases.Prorated Rent due»` | Due on the first day of the second month of the Lease Term. |
| Security Deposit | `«Leases.Security Deposit Amount»` | Shall not exceed one (1) month's rent. Due upon signing. See Section 10. |
| Late Fee | 5% of unpaid rent | Assessed if rent is not paid in full by 11:59 PM on the 10th day after the due date. See Section 3. |
| Returned Payment Fee | $35.00 | For any returned check or failed electronic payment. |
| Monthly Pet Rent | `«Leases.Pet Rent»` | Due with Monthly Base Rent. See Pet Addendum. |
| Non-Refundable Pet Fee | `«Leases.Initial Pet Fee»` | One-time fee, due prior to pet occupying the Premises. |
Landlord leases to Resident, and Resident leases from Landlord, the real property and improvements described as the Leased Premises in the Key Provisions Summary (the "Premises").
Resident shall pay Monthly Base Rent to Landlord on the first day of each month, without demand, deduction, or offset.
A. Late Fee: If any part of the rent is not paid by 11:59 PM on the tenth (10th) day of the month, Resident shall pay a late fee equal to five percent (5%) of the unpaid rent. This late fee is deemed Additional Rent.
B. Returned Payment: Resident will pay a $35.00 fee for any payment returned by a financial institution for any reason. This fee is due immediately and is deemed Additional Rent. Landlord may require all future payments to be made by certified funds.
A. Initial Term: The initial term of this Lease shall be as specified in the Key Provisions Summary.
B. Automatic Renewal: If Resident does not provide a written Notice of Non-Renewal at least sixty (60) days prior to the Lease Expiration Date, this Lease will automatically renew on a month-to-month basis. During the month-to-month term, all terms of this Lease shall remain in full force and effect, except that the Monthly Base Rent may be adjusted by Landlord upon providing 30 days' written notice.
C. Acknowledgment: The automatic renewal provision of this Lease is subject to the separate, written acknowledgment of the Resident as required by Maryland law. See the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AUTOMATIC RENEWAL PROVISION section near the signature block of this Lease.
Any fees or charges owed by Resident to Landlord under this Lease (other than Monthly Base Rent) shall be considered "Additional Rent." Landlord shall have the same rights and remedies to collect Additional Rent as are available for the collection of Monthly Base Rent.
Resident is responsible for arranging and paying for all utilities and services for the Premises, including but not limited to electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash removal, telephone, and internet, unless otherwise specified in writing by the Landlord.
Resident shall use and occupy the Premises only as a private residence for those persons listed in the Key Provisions Summary.
If Resident remains in possession of the Premises after the expiration or termination of this Lease without Landlord's written consent, Resident shall be a "holdover tenant." During the holdover period, Resident shall pay rent at a rate of 125% of the last applicable Monthly Base Rent, prorated daily. This does not create a new tenancy.
No pets are allowed on the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord and execution of a Pet Addendum.
A. Amount: The Security Deposit shall not exceed one (1) month's rent.
B. Holding: The Security Deposit will be held in a separate, interest-bearing escrow account in a Maryland banking institution.
C. Return: Within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, Landlord will return the Security Deposit, plus any accrued simple interest, to the Resident, less any amounts rightfully withheld for: (i) unpaid rent; (ii) damages to the Premises beyond ordinary wear and tear; (iii) any other breach of this Lease. An itemized statement of deductions will be provided.
A. Acceptance: Resident has inspected the Premises and accepts it in its present aesthetic condition and the existing appliances and fixtures. This acceptance does not constitute a waiver of the Landlord's statutory obligations under Maryland law, including the warranty of habitability. Landlord shall deliver the Premises in a clean, safe, and habitable condition.
B. Maintenance: Resident shall maintain the Premises in a clean and sanitary condition and shall not commit waste.
Resident shall promptly notify Landlord in writing of any needed repairs. Landlord shall be responsible for maintaining the Premises in compliance with all applicable housing codes and the warranty of habitability.
Resident shall not make any alterations, additions, or improvements to the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord.
Landlord or its agents may enter the Premises upon providing at least twenty-four (24) hours' prior written notice for non-emergency purposes. In case of emergency, Landlord may enter without prior notice.
Resident shall not assign this Lease or sublet the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord.
If Resident fails to pay rent when due, or violates any other term of this Lease, Resident shall be in default. Upon default, Landlord may exercise all remedies available under Maryland law.
If this Lease is terminated due to Resident's default, Resident remains liable for all rent and Additional Rent due for the remainder of the lease term, less any net rent received by Landlord from re-letting the Premises. Resident shall also be liable for reasonable costs incurred by Landlord in re-letting the property.
So long as Resident is not in default, Resident shall peacefully and quietly enjoy the Premises.
Landlord's insurance does not cover Resident's personal property or liability. Resident is strongly encouraged to obtain a renter's insurance policy to protect their belongings and provide liability coverage.
No waiver of any breach shall be deemed a waiver of any subsequent breach.
All persons listed as Resident are jointly and severally liable for all obligations under this Lease.
If any provision of this Lease is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
All notices must be in writing and delivered to the notice addresses listed in the Key Provisions Summary.
This Lease and any attached addenda constitute the entire agreement between the parties.
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Resident agrees to indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from any claims arising from the negligence of Resident or Resident's guests. This provision does not indemnify Landlord for Landlord's own negligence.
This Lease may be executed in counterparts. The following addenda are attached hereto and are incorporated into this Lease by reference:
(As Required by Maryland Real Property § 8-208)
By initialing below, each Resident acknowledges that they have read and understood Section 4.B of this Lease. This section states that if the Resident does not provide a written Notice of Non-Renewal at least sixty (60) days before the end of the lease term, the Lease will AUTOMATICALLY CONVERT to a month-to-month tenancy.
Resident Initials:
(Signature)
`[Landlord/Agent Name]`
(Signature) `«Leases.First Name» «Leases.Last Name»` (Date)
(Signature) `«Leases.Co-Resident 1 Name»` (Date)
(Signature) `«Leases.Co-Resident 2 Name»` (Date)
(Effective for Leases Signed On or After July 1, 2025)
This Addendum is attached to and becomes a part of the Residential Lease Agreement. In accordance with the Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024, the Landlord provides the following summary of tenant rights and landlord obligations.
Preamble: This Bill of Rights is intended to inform tenants of their basic rights under Maryland law. It is not a complete summary of the law. For legal advice, tenants should consult an attorney.
For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development website or contact the Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs.
Resident acknowledges receipt of this Bill of Rights:
(Resident Initials)