Renting in Baltimore: the checks that protect you before you sign
Every rental in Baltimore City is supposed to be licensed, and checking takes two minutes. I’ve run Property Management of Baltimore since 2014, so here’s what I’d check as a renter, from someone who sees leases from the landlord side.
Updated November 2026
Step one: look up the rental license
Since January 1, 2019, all rental properties in Baltimore City, including single-family and two-family houses, have had to be registered and licensed to operate as rentals. To get a license, the property has to pass an inspection by a state-licensed home inspector registered with the city. The city’s Department of Housing and Community Development runs a public search where you can look up any address.
Why it matters: a license means the property passed a basic safety inspection. And under city law, a landlord generally has to show a valid rental license to win a failure-to-pay-rent case. If the listing you’re looking at isn’t licensed, ask why before you go further.
Know your Maryland rights
- Security deposit: under the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024, most landlords can’t charge more than one month’s rent as a security deposit, effective October 1, 2024.
- Tenants’ Bill of Rights: Maryland requires the state’s Tenants’ Bill of Rights to be included with residential leases.
- Lead paint: rentals built before 1978 have to be registered with the Maryland Department of the Environment and meet lead paint requirements. Ask for the current lead certificate.
- Occupancy: city zoning limits how many unrelated people can share a single-family house. Check the current rule before you plan a group rental.
For legal questions, talk to a Maryland attorney or the state’s Office of Tenant and Landlord Affairs at the Department of Housing and Community Development.
What to look at when you tour a rental
- Water and heat: run the faucets, check water pressure, ask how the unit is heated and who pays.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: on every level, and working.
- Windows and locks: do they open, close and lock?
- Basement and ceilings: water stains, musty smells and peeling paint.
- Pests: look under sinks and in cabinets.
- The lease: who handles repairs and how to request them, utilities, trash, snow and lawn, and the renewal terms.
- Move-in report: photograph everything and get a written condition report signed. It’s your best protection for your deposit.
When you’re ready to stop renting
Lots of people rent in Baltimore for a year or two to find the right neighborhood. When you’re ready, compare your rent with the full monthly cost of owning: mortgage, the city’s property tax of $2.248 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal 2026, insurance and maintenance. Live Baltimore keeps a list of city homebuying incentives worth checking. See first-time buyer guidance on my main site.
Own a rental property? I’ve run Property Management of Baltimore since 2014. If you’re a landlord with licensing or management questions, give me a call.
Questions people ask
How do I check if a Baltimore rental is licensed?
Use the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development’s online property registration and rental license search. You can search by address.
Do all Baltimore City rentals need a license?
Yes. Since January 1, 2019, all non-owner-occupied rental properties in Baltimore City, including one- and two-family houses, must be registered and licensed, which requires passing an inspection.
How much can a Maryland landlord charge for a security deposit?
For most residential leases, no more than one month’s rent, under the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024, effective October 1, 2024.
What happens if my Baltimore landlord isn't licensed?
Under city law, a landlord generally needs a valid rental license to win a failure-to-pay-rent case. If you have a dispute, talk to a Maryland attorney or legal aid about your options.
Should I rent or buy in Baltimore?
If you’re new or unsure how long you’ll stay, renting first is reasonable. If you plan to stay several years, compare total ownership costs, including city property taxes, with your rent. I’m happy to run the numbers.
About Mike Fielder
Mike Fielder is a Baltimore Realtor and Sales Director of The Key Home Team at Cummings & Co. Realtors. Licensed since June 2016, he focuses on North Baltimore (Lake Evesham, Lake Walker, Cedarcroft, Hampden and Remington) and the Towson area. He also serves as Vice President of the Lake Evesham Community Association.
Over his career, Mike has sold 190 homes worth more than $56 million. He’s backed by The Key Home Team, which has sold more than $375 million in real estate and closes about $30 million a year.
Mike founded Property Management of Baltimore in 2014, two years before getting his license, and still runs it. Managing rentals taught him what repairs really cost, which updates buyers pay for, and how to keep a deal moving when something breaks. Sellers get that judgment when deciding what to fix before listing. Buyers get it when they’re reading an inspection report.
A Towson University graduate, Mike keeps his approach simple: price from real recent sales, spend money only where it pays back, and compare offers by what the client actually keeps.
More from Mike: First-time buyers · Investing with Mike · Full bio
Questions about renting, or thinking about buying?
Call or email me. I’ll answer honestly from both sides of the lease.
The Key Home Team of Cummings & Co. Realtors
Cell: 410-905-6678
Email: mike@mykeyhometeam.com
Office: 410-823-0033
108 W Timonium Rd, Timonium, MD 21093
Website: mikesellsbaltimore.com