Maryland Late Fee Law
How the limit applies
Under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d), the limit is on lease terms: a landlord may not use a lease or form of lease containing a provision that sets a late penalty above the amounts below.
Statute text
A landlord may not use a lease or form of lease containing any provision that:
Maximum late penalty
Under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3)(i), a lease may not provide for a penalty for the late payment of rent in excess of 5% of the amount of unpaid rent due for the rental period for which the payment was delinquent.
Statute text
Provides for a penalty for the late payment of rent in excess of 5% of the amount of unpaid rent due for the rental period for which the payment was delinquent; or
Weekly rent
Under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(d)(3)(ii), for a lease under which rent is paid in weekly rental installments, the lease may not provide for a late penalty of more than $3 per week or a total of no more than $12 per month.
Statute text
In the case of leases under which the rent is paid in weekly rental installments, provides for a late penalty of more than $3 per week or a total of no more than $12 per month;
Penalties
Maryland law sets consequences for landlords who don't follow these rules. Read them in the statute: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208(g).
City and county rules
This page covers statewide law only. Some cities and counties have their own late fee rules, and this page does not list them. Check with your city or county.
Official sources
About this page
This page is general information about Maryland law from Deedhold LLC, which operates DeedVault. It is not legal advice, it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Deedhold LLC is not a law firm and does not practice law.
We wrote each summary from the official statute text linked beside it and last checked the page on November 1, 2026. The statute, not this summary, is the law. Statutes are amended, courts interpret them, and cities, counties and lease terms can add requirements this page does not cover. We may not learn of a change right away, and we remove any page we have not re-checked within 7 months.
This page is provided as is, without any warranty that it is complete, current, or right for your situation. Do not rely on it alone for a decision about a late fee, a tenant, or a dispute. Check the official sources linked on this page, or consult an attorney licensed in Maryland.
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