Maryland Registration: What You Need to Know for Landlords, Tenants & Property Owners

If you’re dealing with a rental in Maryland, the first thing you’ll hear is “registration.” It pops up in landlord licenses, tenant paperwork, and even when you show a house. Skipping it can lead to fines or legal headaches, so let’s break it down in plain English.

Landlord Registration and Licensing

Every landlord in Maryland must register with the state’s Department of Assessments and Taxation. The process is simple: fill out a short online form, pay a modest fee, and you get a registration number that goes on all your lease agreements. This number tells tenants you’re a legitimate owner and gives the state a way to track rental properties for tax and safety inspections.

But registration isn’t the only box to tick. If you manage more than one unit, you also need a real‑estate license or a property management registration. That’s the rule that keeps folks from running unqualified businesses. The good news? The state offers free webinars that walk you through the steps, and you can usually finish everything in under an hour.

Tenant Registration and Rights

Tenants don’t register the same way landlords do, but they have paperwork that matters. When you sign a lease, the landlord should give you a copy that includes their Maryland registration number. If they can’t, that’s a red flag and you can ask for proof before moving in.

Maryland also has clear rules about showing a rented house. A landlord can only enter your home with proper notice—usually 24 hours—and only for legitimate reasons like repairs or showing the place to prospective renters. That rule was highlighted in a recent article about landlords wanting to show a house in Maryland. Knowing your rights means you can politely remind a landlord if they try to skip the notice.

Another key point is rent increase limits. While Maryland doesn’t have statewide rent control, cities like Baltimore set specific caps. As a tenant, you can check the local guidelines to see if a proposed hike is legal. If it isn’t, you can file a complaint with the housing authority.

Finally, if you’re moving into a new unit, you’ll need to register your address with the local county for tax purposes. This usually happens automatically when you sign a lease, but it’s worth confirming with your landlord to avoid any surprise tax notices.

Bottom line: Registration in Maryland is about transparency and protection for both sides. Landlords get a way to prove they’re legit, and tenants get clear information about who they’re renting from and what rights they have.

Keep these points handy the next time you sign a lease or start managing a property in Maryland. A quick check on the registration number and a glance at local rent rules can save you a lot of hassle down the road.