How Much Can a Landlord Legally Raise Rent in Baltimore City?

It's one of the hottest topics when you talk to renters in Baltimore City: "How much can my landlord actually raise my rent?" With more people in urban areas and prices climbing, folks are hyper-aware of anything that touches the rent—especially sudden bumps. Baltimore’s housing landscape is changing fast, and unlike a few other big US cities, there’s no official rent control on the books. That leaves both landlords and tenants with a bunch of questions and sometimes a few misunderstandings. So, let’s bust through the myths and get straight to the stuff that matters for you—right now, in 2025.

Rent Increases: What the Law Actually Says in Baltimore City

First off, there’s no traditional rent control in Baltimore—meaning, there isn’t a law that limits exactly how much a landlord can increase rent year to year. Instead, Maryland landlords have some wiggle room but that doesn’t mean they have a free pass to double your rent overnight. The key rule? They must give you written notice at least 60 days before raising the rent if you’re on a yearly lease or 90 days for month-to-month agreements. This heads-up is mandatory, no matter if you’re renting a basement in Mount Vernon or a studio in Hampden.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. There are no set percentage limits for how much rent can go up. That’s different from places like New York City or San Francisco, where strict caps apply. Baltimore trusts the market to do most of the heavy lifting—landlords generally can’t hike rent during a fixed lease period, but once it’s up, they’re allowed to set new terms. Maryland's landlord-tenant law (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208) spells this out—if you want the nitty-gritty legal details.

But don’t think landlords can get away with just any rent jump. There are rules on fairness—especially when it comes to discrimination or retaliation. Raising rent just because a tenant filed a complaint or joined a tenants’ association? That’s illegal. If you ever suspect that’s happening, Baltimore City’s Department of Housing & Community Development can help out. Plus, any rent hike during a lease term is a no-go unless the lease itself specifically allows it, and that’s pretty rare.

You may have heard that Baltimore had extra rules during emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. That was true—rent increases got frozen for a while. But as of July 2025, those emergency protections are gone, and regular rules apply.

Still not sure? Pull out your lease and check. Sometimes, landlords slip in unique terms about how much rent can rise when it’s renewed. Always good to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.

Baltimore City’s History and Why There’s No Classic Rent Control

More than a few people have asked, "Why doesn’t Baltimore have rent control like New York, LA, or DC?" The answer goes back decades. Maryland as a state hasn’t passed statewide rent control laws, and while some counties have tried short-term caps (mainly during the pandemic), nothing’s stuck like the rules in other parts of the country. Baltimore’s local leaders have talked about it, especially as housing costs keep rising, but so far there’s no cap on annual rent hikes. That means the Baltimore rent increase rules lean on the open market — landlords set something, and tenants can accept, move, or negotiate.

It's true, Baltimore City officials have debated limits a bunch of times. Tenants’ groups have called for caps—say, tying rent to the yearly inflation rate. But pushback comes from landlord associations who argue caps could hurt housing quality by squeezing people out of the business. It’s a clash that pops up every few years. Right now, the City Council is focused on more inspection and safety upgrades, but not direct rent caps.

So, while parts of Maryland like Montgomery County passed temporary laws to cap rent increases (once as low as 0.4% a year in 2023), those haven’t been adopted in Baltimore City. There was a local campaign for "The Baltimore Renters’ Relief Act," but as of summer 2025, it hasn’t become law. That leaves things as they are—no hard ceiling.

Here’s something else: the city does have rules for public housing and Section 8 tenants. These are different—if you’re living in subsidized housing, rent amounts and increases are handled by federal rules, not just the whim of a private landlord.

Still, advocates aren't letting up. Groups like the Fair Housing Action Center are working to collect more stories from tenants, in hopes of nudging the law towards future caps. But for now, the history stands: Baltimore landlords aren’t boxed in by classic rent control. It’s all about negotiation, timing, and your lease details.

Tenant Protections and What To Do If You Get a Surprise Increase

So your landlord slides a new lease across the table with a rent bump you didn’t see coming. What now? First off, remember, you have rights. That written notice (60 or 90 days ahead depending on your rental agreement) isn’t just a suggestion—it’s legally required. If your landlord tries to raise the rent without proper notice, you’re allowed to stay on the old rate until the notice time ticks down.

If you think the increase is wild or could be retaliation (‘cause you asked for repairs or reported a violation), document everything—emails, texts, letters. Baltimore City’s Department of Housing and Community Development has a hotline for exactly this stuff. They get hundreds of calls a year about sudden rent hikes, and complaints are up 12% year-over-year, based on 2024 stats released by the agency.

Here’s a tip: don’t ignore the offer, hoping it’ll go away. Landlords can end a lease if you don’t respond, so talk it out. Sometimes rents can be negotiated—especially if you’re a long-term tenant with a great payment record. Bring data. Look up the prices of nearby apartments on Zillow or Apartments.com, print out a few listings, and show your landlord if their proposed increase seems way above market. This works more often than you’d think.

If you suspect the landlord is discriminating, maybe raising rent more for tenants of a particular race, gender, or religion, you’ve got extra protections. Baltimore has some of the toughest anti-discrimination rules in the Mid-Atlantic. The same goes for raising rent out of retaliation—like if you reported mold or called housing code inspectors. That’s not just rude, it’s illegal, and the city’s Office of Civil Rights will take up these cases. In all of 2024, 28 landlords got fined for retaliation cases, and 9 more had to pay back rent to affected tenants. So, you’re not powerless.

"Rent increases must follow a clear process and cannot be used as a tool to punish tenants. We urge renters to report improper hikes right away," says Alicia Wilson from Baltimore City’s housing department.

If the new rent just isn’t in your budget, look for local programs that help. Baltimore Renter Assistance and the United Way still run workshops on tenant rights every month, and they can connect you with advocates or even emergency rent grants.

Market Trends: Why Baltimore Rent Hikes Happen (and Where)

Rents in Baltimore don’t climb just for sport—there’s a real pattern. In the past five years, Baltimore’s median rent has increased 19%, according to Yardi Matrix’s 2025 report. That’s actually a bit below the national average, but it still stings when the lease comes due. The biggest jumps hit newly renovated buildings in hot neighborhoods—like Fells Point, Canton, and Remington. Places closer to the waterfront and Johns Hopkins campus have seen one-bedroom rents go up by 8% in just the last 12 months. Meanwhile, some North Baltimore neighborhoods—like Park Heights—are lagging, barely moving at all in price.

So, what’s driving these rent bumps? A few things. First, more folks want to live close to downtown, shops, and transit. Second, inflation has been nibbling away at landlord profits, and property taxes went up by 3% across the city in 2024. Many landlords pass these costs right along to tenants. Repairs are pricier, and insurance premiums recently spiked after last winter’s big freeze flooded dozens of older rowhouses.

Landlord size matters too. Big apartment managers tend to raise rents with the market every year like clockwork—usually 3% to 5%. Small landlords, renting out a basement or half a duplex, are more likely to negotiate. According to a 2024 Maryland Rental Housing Providers survey, 61% of small landlords didn’t raise rent at all last year, hoping to keep solid tenants and skip the hassle of turnover. But in neighborhoods where Amazon or hospital expansions brought new jobs, rents move fastest, sometimes jumping by 10% or more between leases.

Check the table below for real-world average rent increases in Baltimore’s most popular zip codes, based on 2024-25 rental data.

Got your eye on a deal? Act fast and watch for incentives—some landlords cut deals in slower months (December and January), or offer one month free to fill empty units. If your rent increase feels way out of line with nearby prices, push back or ask for an upgrade—some tenants score new appliances or minor renovations as part of renewal negotiations.

Tips for Negotiating and Surviving a Rent Increase in Baltimore

No one likes to see the rent climb, but there’s plenty you can do before signing that new lease. First, get the numbers—check what similar units go for in your area. If you walk your block or search online, you’ll see if your increase is in the ballpark or an outlier. Landlords know savvy tenants shop around, so sometimes there’s room to negotiate—especially if you’re stable, tidy, and pay on time.

Timing helps. If you know a rent bump is coming in winter, when fewer people move, you might be able to bargain for a smaller increase or other perks. Offer to renew for two years instead of one—landlords love steady tenants and may lock in a lower rate for longer security. Or, ask if you can swap chores like snow shoveling or landscaping for a stable rent. It sounds old school, but small landlords especially like creative deals.

Always get in writing whatever you agree upon. If you work out a deal for lower rent or extra amenities, write it into your new lease or get a signed addendum. Maryland law won’t back up a handshake agreement if there’s ever a dispute.

Here’s a checklist for your rent increase negotiations:

• Gather data on local rents before talking to your landlord
• Politely ask why the rent’s going up—sometimes it’s taxes or new upgrades
• Offer something in return, like a longer lease or direct debit payments
• Negotiate for repairs or upgrades if the price is inflexible
• Always put new terms down in writing

If you can’t reach an agreement and the new rent feels crushing, look into Baltimore’s Housing Choice Voucher Programs or apply for renter’s aid grants—especially if you’re facing financial hardship. Some tenants team up and negotiate as a group, putting more pressure on larger landlords. And if you think the increase breaks rules or was based on discrimination or retaliation, reach out to the city’s housing office. Baltimore’s renter advocates are some of the most active in the country and can walk you through the process.

One last thing: keep good records. Save every notice, lease change, and email. If you ever have to fight an improper increase, that paper trail is gold. The rental market in Baltimore City might be a little wild right now, but if you know your rights and play it smart, you can navigate the bumps—and maybe even save a few bucks in the process.