Free calculator · Maryland law
Maryland security deposit interest calculator
Maryland landlords owe simple interest on security deposits of $50+ held at least 6 months, and must return deposit plus interest within 45 days of tenancy end (Md. Real Property § 8-203). Calculate the statutory minimum below.
Minimum interest owed (1.5% statutory floor)
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The actual rate each year is the greater of 1.5% or the 1-year U.S. Treasury rate set that January — so for deposits held through recent high-rate years the true amount can be higher than this floor.
Get the exact figure: Maryland DHCD official calculator ↗Landlords must return the deposit with interest within 45 days after the tenancy ends (Md. Real Property § 8-203). Estimates only — not legal advice.
FAQ
Maryland deposit rules, answered
Do Maryland landlords owe interest on security deposits?＋
Yes, when the deposit is $50 or more and has been held at least 6 months. Under Md. Real Property § 8-203, interest is simple (not compounded), accrues in full monthly intervals from the day the tenant pays the deposit, and must be returned with the deposit within 45 days after the tenancy ends.
What interest rate applies to Maryland security deposits?＋
For each year, the greater of 1.5% per year or the daily U.S. Treasury yield curve rate for 1 year as of the first business day of that year. In low-rate years the 1.5% floor applies; in recent high-rate years the Treasury rate has been higher. Maryland's DHCD publishes the official calculator with every year's rate, and the statute lets landlords rely on it.
How much can a Maryland landlord collect as a security deposit?＋
Since October 1, 2024 (HB 693, the Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act), the maximum is one month's rent — down from the previous two-month cap. Charging more exposes the landlord to penalties of up to three times the excess.
What happens if the deposit isn't returned within 45 days?＋
A landlord who withholds a deposit without a valid reason (unpaid rent, damage beyond wear and tear, or losses from a breach) can be liable for up to three times the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Deposits, interest, and the 45-day clock are exactly the kind of compliance we handle for owners — see what full management covers or get a free rental analysis.