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New Carrollton is a small city in Prince George's County, Maryland, situated just outside Washington, D.C. and home to the New Carrollton Metro and MARC train station — one of the busiest transit hubs in the mid-Atlantic region. The city's location makes it attractive to commuters who rent rather than own, and renters here rely primarily on Maryland's statewide landlord-tenant statutes for their core legal protections.
Tenants in New Carrollton most commonly ask about security deposit rules, rent increase limits, eviction notice requirements, and what to do when a landlord refuses to make repairs. All of these issues are governed by Maryland Code, Real Property Article (Md. Code, Real Prop.), which applies uniformly across the state. Prince George's County also operates an Office of Landlord-Tenant Affairs that provides additional assistance to county residents.
This page provides a plain-language summary of the laws that protect you as a renter in New Carrollton. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and your specific situation may require guidance from a licensed attorney or a local legal aid organization.
New Carrollton has no rent control ordinance. Maryland law does not include a blanket statewide preemption statute that prohibits municipalities from enacting rent control (unlike some other states). However, New Carrollton has never adopted a local rent stabilization or rent control ordinance, so there is currently no cap on how much a landlord may raise your rent between lease terms.
In practice, this means your landlord can increase rent by any amount at the end of a lease or, for month-to-month tenancies, with proper advance written notice of at least one full rental period (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402). Notably, Prince George's County itself does not have a countywide rent stabilization ordinance, though the County Council has periodically considered such measures. You should monitor local legislation for any future changes.
While there is no rent cap, landlords are prohibited from raising rent in retaliation against a tenant who has asserted their legal rights (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1). If you believe a rent increase is retaliatory, you may raise that defense in any resulting eviction proceeding.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211): Maryland law requires landlords to maintain rental units in a safe, sanitary, and habitable condition throughout the tenancy. This includes functioning heat, plumbing, structural integrity, and freedom from serious pest infestations. If a landlord fails to make essential repairs after written notice, tenants may have remedies including rent escrow (paying rent to the court rather than the landlord) under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211.
Rent Escrow (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211): If your landlord fails to repair conditions that constitute a substantial and serious threat to your health or safety, you may file a rent escrow action in District Court. The court holds your rent until the landlord makes required repairs. This is a powerful remedy specific to Maryland law.
Security Deposit Rules (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203): Landlords may charge a security deposit of no more than two months' rent. The deposit must be held in a federally insured financial institution and, if held for more than six months, must accrue simple interest at a rate set by the Maryland Real Estate Commission. Deposits must be returned within 45 days of the end of the tenancy.
Required Written Lease Disclosures (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208): Maryland requires landlords to provide tenants with a written lease containing specific disclosures, including information about the security deposit, the tenant's right to a move-in inspection, and lead paint status for pre-1978 housing.
Notice Requirements (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-402): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or tenant must provide written notice of at least one full rental period (generally 30 days) to terminate the tenancy. For week-to-week tenancies, one week's written notice is required.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-208.1): A landlord may not increase rent, decrease services, or attempt to evict a tenant in retaliation for the tenant reporting housing code violations, contacting a government agency about a housing issue, or exercising any legal right. A retaliatory eviction may be raised as a defense in District Court.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211(k)): A landlord may not self-help evict a tenant by changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities. Such actions are illegal and the tenant may seek immediate judicial relief and damages.
Lead Paint Disclosure (Md. Code, Environment § 6-801 et seq.): Maryland has specific lead paint disclosure and remediation requirements for pre-1978 rental units that go beyond federal law. Landlords must register with the Maryland Department of the Environment and meet risk reduction standards before renting an affected unit.
Maryland's security deposit rules are set out in Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203 and are among the most detailed in the country.
Maximum deposit: No more than two months' rent. Any deposit in excess of two months' rent is unlawful, and the landlord is liable for three times the amount collected above the limit (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b)).
Interest: Deposits must be held in a federally insured account. If the deposit is held for more than six months, the landlord must pay simple interest at the rate set annually by the Maryland Real Estate Commission.
Move-in checklist: Within five days of move-in, the landlord must provide a written list of existing damages, or the tenant may prepare their own list. The tenant should keep a signed copy. If no list is provided, the landlord's ability to make deductions may be limited.
Return deadline: The deposit (plus accrued interest, minus any lawful deductions for unpaid rent or damages beyond normal wear and tear) must be returned within 45 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates. The landlord must include an itemized written statement of any deductions (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211(f)).
Penalty for non-compliance: If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit or fails to return it within 45 days, the tenant may sue in District Court and recover up to three times the withheld amount plus reasonable attorney's fees (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211(n)). Claims under $5,000 can be filed in small claims court without an attorney.
Maryland's eviction process is governed by Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401 through § 8-407. A landlord must follow every step of this process; there are no shortcuts permitted by law.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with proper written notice. The type and duration of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in District Court: The landlord files a complaint in the Prince George's County District Court. For failure to pay rent, hearings are typically scheduled within a few days to two weeks. For breach of lease, the process takes longer.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: The tenant is notified of the hearing date and has the right to appear and present defenses, including that rent was paid, that conditions are uninhabitable, or that the eviction is retaliatory (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211, § 8-208.1). Tenants facing failure-to-pay evictions can often avoid eviction by paying all rent owed plus court costs before or at the hearing.
Step 4 — Judgment and Warrant of Restitution: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, the landlord receives a judgment and may request a Warrant of Restitution (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-401(c)). The warrant is typically stayed for at least four days before a sheriff or constable can execute it.
Step 5 — Physical Eviction: Only a court-appointed officer (sheriff or constable) may physically remove a tenant. The landlord cannot personally force the tenant out.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under Maryland law, a landlord who changes the locks, removes doors, shuts off utilities, or takes any other action to force a tenant out without a court order commits an illegal self-help eviction. The tenant may seek emergency injunctive relief in District Court and may be entitled to damages under Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-211(k).
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have questions about your rights as a renter in New Carrollton or Prince George's County, you should consult a licensed Maryland attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes every effort to keep this information current, but we cannot guarantee that all statutes and local rules reflected here are up to date.
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