Maryland late rent fee: the legal maximum
Maryland caps late fees at 5% of the monthly rent. There is no statutory grace period, so the lease controls when the fee starts.
Maximum late fee at common rents
Applying 5% of monthly rent once the rent is late.
| Monthly rent | Maximum fee |
|---|---|
| $1,000.00 | $50.00 |
| $1,500.00 | $75.00 |
| $2,000.00 | $100.00 |
| $3,000.00 | $150.00 |
What the statute says
Late fee may not exceed 5% of the unpaid rent due for the rental period; for weekly tenancies, max $3 per week and $12 per month. No statutory grace period.
How this applies in practice
- A late fee must be written into the lease. The statute caps what the lease may say; it does not create a fee on its own.
- With no statutory grace period, the lease decides when the fee starts; many leases allow three to five days.
- Any amount above the cap cannot be collected or deducted from the deposit, and in several states charging an unlawful fee exposes the landlord to damages.
- Late fees are separate from interest on unpaid rent and from eviction filing costs, which have their own rules.
Related Maryland rules
- Pay-or-quit notice: 10 days. Notice periods in Maryland.
- Security deposit: 1 month's rent; returned Within 45 days after the end of the tenancy, with accrued interest, less lawful deductions; itemized list of damages and costs must be sent within the same 45 days.. Deposit rules in Maryland.
- All rules on one page: Maryland landlord and tenant law.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum late fee for rent in Maryland?
5% of monthly rent. Late fee may not exceed 5% of the unpaid rent due for the rental period; for weekly tenancies, max $3 per week and $12 per month. No statutory grace period.
Is there a grace period for rent in Maryland?
Not by statute. The lease may set one; if it is silent, a fee can be charged the day after the due date.
Can a Maryland landlord charge a daily late fee?
Only if the total stays within the statutory cap (5% of monthly rent). A daily fee that accumulates past the cap is unenforceable above it.
Can a landlord charge a late fee that is not in the lease in Maryland?
No. A late fee is a contract term. If the lease does not provide for one, the landlord cannot impose it, and in Maryland the statutory cap applies on top of whatever the lease says.