Are Rental Application Fees Legal in Maryland?
What Maryland lets a landlord charge to apply — and how that compares to what screening actually costs.
refund over $25 — If a landlord collects an application fee over $25 and you don't end up renting, the landlord must return the amount above their actual out-of-pocket expenses, with a written list of those expenses.
A full tenant screen costs a landlord about $30. Landlords typically charge applicants $55 — so any fee well above ~$30 is mostly markup, and in Maryland that overage is refundable or unlawful.
| Cap type | Refundable over a threshold |
|---|---|
| The legal line | refund over $25 |
| Refund rights | Amounts over $25 must be refunded (less itemized actual expenses) if you aren't offered or don't take the unit. |
| Receipt required | Yes |
| Reusable screening report | Not specified |
| Statute | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-213 |
Check your Maryland application fee
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How Maryland compares
See every state's cap, the real cost of screening, and the markup landlords add — the full picture in one place.
Informational only, not legal advice — verify Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-213 and current screening costs before acting.