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What Maryland’s deposit statute requires, the deadline computed from your dates, and a ready-to-send demand letter that quotes the rule.
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203. The citation and the quoted fragments below come from the official source recorded for this state.
“Within 45 days after the end of the tenancy, the landlord shall return the security deposit to the tenant together with simple interest which has accrued at the daily U.S. Treasury yield curve rate for 1 year, as of the first business day of each year, or 1.5% a year, whichever is greater, less any damages rightfully withheld.”
“If the landlord, without a reasonable basis, fails to return any part of the security deposit, plus accrued interest, within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, the tenant has an action of up to threefold of the withheld amount, plus reasonable attorney’s fees.”
“if any portion of the security deposit is withheld, the landlord shall present by first–class mail directed to the last known address of the tenant, within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, a written list of the damages claimed under subsection (f)(1) of this section together with an itemized statement of the cost incurred.”
“If the landlord fails to comply with this requirement, the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any part of the security deposit for damages.”
Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203 — fragments captured from the official source on 2026-11-05.
This row was marked verified on 2026-11-05.
Within 45 days after the end of the tenancy the landlord must return the security deposit together with simple interest (the greater of the daily 1-year U.S. Treasury yield curve rate or 1.5% a year; interest accrues monthly after the deposit has been held 6 months and is payable only on deposits of $50 or more), less any damages rightfully withheld. If any portion is withheld, the landlord must present by first-class mail directed to the tenant's last known address, within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, a written list of the damages claimed together with an itemized statement of the cost incurred; the itemized statement must include supporting documentation (an estimate is permitted, and if actual costs are less the excess must be returned within 30 days after the repairs are completed). Failure to provide the list forfeits the right to withhold any part of the deposit for damages. A tenant who was evicted or who abandoned the premises may demand return by written notice within 45 days, and the landlord must then respond and return within 45 days of receipt of that notice.
If if the condition the statute sets out is met, the statute provides for 3× the amount due to the tenant, plus reasonable attorney’s fees.
The same provision also makes the landlord forfeit any right to retain any portion of the deposit.
Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-203(e)(4): if the landlord, without a reasonable basis, fails to return any part of the security deposit plus accrued interest within 45 days after the termination of the tenancy, the tenant has an action of up to threefold of the withheld amount, plus reasonable attorney's fees. Md. Code, Real Prop. 8-203(g)(2): if the landlord fails to provide the written list and itemized statement of costs, the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any part of the deposit for damages.
The form asks for the deposit paid, the amount returned, and the dates. You see the whole letter, watermarked, before you pay. $9.99 for the letter, $19.99 for the pack with the follow-up letter, complaint options and the small-claims checklist.
Build my Maryland letter — free preview
The deadline is computed from the dates you enter using the rule recorded for Maryland: 45 calendar days after the date the tenancy ended.
Where the statute has a verified penalty, the letter states it as possible exposure and names the condition the statute sets. If if the condition the statute sets out is met, the statute provides for 3× the amount due to the tenant, plus reasonable attorney’s fees.
Tell the builder that you received one. The letter acknowledges it and disputes the amounts you say are wrong.
No. It is a self-help document tool, not a law firm. If your claim is large or disputed, speak to a landlord-tenant lawyer or legal aid.