Top 10 Mistakes Maryland Landlords Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Published November 28, 2025 – INeedTenants.com / Living Legacy Property Management
Avoid the most costly mistakes Maryland landlords make. Learn how to prevent turnover, reduce repairs, protect yourself legally, and run your rental business like a pro.
Introduction
Being a landlord in Maryland can be extremely profitable, but only if you understand the laws, stay on top of maintenance, properly screen tenants, and avoid the mistakes that drain thousands from inexperienced landlords every year.
Whether you own one rental or a full portfolio, your ability to protect your investment depends on systems, legal knowledge, and consistent follow-through. This expanded guide breaks down the 10 most common mistakes Maryland landlords make, explains why they occur, and shows you exactly how to avoid them, utilizing expert-level insight used by professional property managers.
1. Poor Tenant Screening
The #1 cause of evictions, damage, and unpaid rent is rushed or inadequate screening. Many landlords rent to an applicant because they “seem nice.” That mistake can cost $3,000–$10,000 in missed rent, legal fees, and repairs.
What robust screening looks like
- Full credit report
- Criminal background check
- Eviction history
- Employment verification
- Income verification (2.5–3× rent recommended)
- Previous landlord references
- Optional: social media check for red flags
Red flags to watch for
- Reluctance to provide employer info
- Working “off the books” without proof of income
- Recent multiple evictions or address changes
- Requests to skip screening or pay cash
Action step: Use a consistent screening checklist for every applicant and document results. If screening is taking too long, consider a professional tenant-placement service like INeedTenants.com to speed up processes while keeping standards high.
2. Skipping Regular Inspections
Assuming “no news is good news” often leads to hidden damage like mold, water intrusion, pests, or unauthorized occupants. By the time many landlords discover these problems, repairs are significantly more expensive.
Recommended inspection schedule
- Move-in inspection (document condition with photos)
- 90-day check
- Bi-annual inspections
- Pre-renewal inspection
- Move-out inspection
Action step: Keep inspection records, photos, and signed checklists. They protect you during security deposit disputes and show tenants you’re proactive.
3. Pricing Rent Based on Emotion, Not Data
Renting is market-driven and hyper-local. Maryland rents vary street-by-street; listing $100 above comparable units can add 30–45 days on market, costing more than a small rent concession would have.
Smart pricing checklist
- Review 5–10 recent comparables
- Adjust for condition, upgrades, and amenities
- Factor seasonal demand (summer = faster leasing)
- Consider pricing slightly under market for a quick lease
Action step: If inquiries are low after 7 days, drop the price by $50–$100 and re-evaluate.
4. Ignoring or Delaying Maintenance Requests
Delaying repairs breaks tenant trust and leads to larger problems. A small leak left unfixed becomes a mold or structural problem later.
Best-practice maintenance process
- Respond to non-emergency requests within 24–48 hours
- Designate an emergency contact and protocol
- Use licensed, insured contractors
- Document all work orders and repairs
Action step: Create a maintenance intake form (link: Request a Repair Form) and a vendor contact list for quick dispatch.
5. Using Generic or Illegal Leases
Maryland has specific disclosure and lease requirements, especially about lead paint, security deposits, and notice periods. Using a generic lease template may render portions of your agreement unenforceable.
Lease essentials for Maryland
- Lead paint disclosures (for pre-1978 properties)
- Security deposit handling and notice requirements
- Notice for entry and repairs
- Clear late-fee and rent-increase language
- County-specific addenda & licensing clauses (e.g., Baltimore City)
Action step: Use a Maryland-specific lease drafted or reviewed by a landlord attorney. If you’re unsure, link to your property manager (Living Legacy Property Management) for a compliant lease package.
6. Not Knowing Local Maryland / Baltimore Laws
Local rules (Baltimore City vs. Baltimore County) differ. Some jurisdictions require rental licenses, separate inspections, or security deposit escrow rules.
Where to verify rules
- HUD – federal housing regulations and fair housing: hud.gov
- Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development: dhcd.maryland.gov
- Local county/city websites for licensing and code requirements
Action step: Keep a folder of county-specific landlord resources and consult local code when in doubt.
7. Slow Communication With Tenants
Communication speed is directly correlated with tenant satisfaction and renewals. Slow responses drive tenants to move and breed frustration.
Communication best practices
- Answer routine queries within 24 hours
- Provide an emergency phone number for urgent issues
- Use email + text for confirmations
- Set expectations on the website and lease for response times
Action step: Add clear contact instructions to your Contact Page and enable automated confirmation emails for tenant requests.
8. Poor Unit Preparation Before Listing
Tenants expect move-in ready units. A poorly prepared home leads to low-quality applicants, price haggling, and longer vacancies.
Pre-listing checklist
- Deep cleaning and decluttering
- Fresh paint or touch-ups
- Functional locks, lights, and appliances
- Professional photos and staging, if possible
- Remove odors and ensure curb appeal
Action step: Consider a small repair/staging budget, $150–$400 can reduce vacancy time dramatically.
9. No Emergency Maintenance Plan
Emergencies happen. Not having a plan causes panic, delays, and liability.
Emergency plan checklist
- 24/7 emergency phone number
- List of backup vendors and emergency contractors
- Clear tenant instructions for common emergencies
- Evacuation & safety checklist
Action step: Publish emergency procedures on your tenant portal or include in the lease packet.
10. Trying to Self-Manage Without Time or Systems
Managing rentals is a job. Landlords who underestimate the workload face burnout, missed tasks, and poor tenant relationships.
Consider outsourcing when:
- You cannot respond within 24 hours
- You lack vendor relationships
- You are behind on maintenance or inspections
- You are spending more time than you budgeted on property tasks
Action step: If time is limited, get a reliable property manager such as Living Legacy Property Management to handle day-to-day operations, legal compliance, and tenant relations.
Conclusion
Maryland landlords face unique challenges, strict laws, micro-local market differences, and variable tenant quality. But avoiding the core mistakes above will reduce vacancy, lower repair costs, improve tenant satisfaction, and protect you legally.
Success in rental investing comes from systems, knowledge, and consistency. You don’t need to be perfect just prepared.