Maryland lead rental checklist: registration, turnover and tenant notices

1. Registration and renewal

• Register each affected property with MDE on its forms: owner name and address, property address, property manager, insurer and policy numbers, an in-state contact, whether built before 1950, latest change in occupancy, risk-reduction treatments and the latest compliance date (§ 6-811(b)).
• Renew by Dec. 31 each year (or on an MDE schedule set by regulation) (§ 6-812(a)(1)). MDE says online registration is required for renewals and updates, and its page states “Annual renewal is due by December 31, with a $30 fee per unit” (MDE).
• Update within 30 days after a change in your owner, property, manager, insurance or contact details (§ 6-812(a)(2)).
• Bought a rental? Register it within 30 days after you acquire it (§ 6-812(b)). MDE says a change in ownership needs a new registration and tracking number, and ownership records must match state tax records exactly (MDE).
• Local registration too. MDE notes some counties and Baltimore City require separate rental registration and fees; the state does not collect them for local governments (MDE).

2. At every tenant turnover

• Before the next tenant moves in, pass the lead-contaminated dust test, with chipping, peeling or flaking paint removed or repainted on the building’s exterior painted surfaces and the unit’s interior painted surfaces (§ 6-815(a)–(b)).
• Get it inspected at each change in occupancy to verify the standard was met (§ 6-815(c)).
• Winter exterior waiver. Exterior work can be delayed under an approved waiver during the local housing code’s no-exterior-work period or, if none, November 1 through April 1. Delayed work must be finished within 30 days after that period ends, and all other parts of the standard must still be done and inspected before you rent (§ 6-815(d)).

3. Tenant notices and packets

• Notice of tenant rights (MDE form) when a lease is signed or a tenancy begins, with a copy of the current verified inspection certificate (§ 6-820(b), (d)).
• Lead poisoning information packet (prepared or designated by MDE) at the same time (§ 6-823(b)).
• Repeat both at least every 2 years (§ 6-820(c); § 6-823(c)).
• How to send: in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, or another verifiable method approved by MDE, addressed to the lessee named in the written lease (or whoever the unit was rented to). For the notice, give MDE documentation that you sent it (§ 6-820(e); § 6-823(d)–(e)).
• New owner: give the notice and the packet to existing tenants before the title transfers or within 15 days after (§ 6-820(f); § 6-823(f)).

Paperwork to keep (our suggestion)

• Your MDE tracking number, registration and each year’s renewal confirmation.
• Every inspection certificate, by unit and move-in date.
• Certified-mail receipts (or MDE-approved proof) for each notice and packet, with the date the next 2-year copy is due.

MDE says these records may be needed for local registration, rent court, or programs like Section 8 (MDE). Questions: MDE Lead Rental Registry, 410-537-4199.

Our checklist suggestion for staying organized, not an official form.

Track lease notices, inspections and renewal dates for each unit in our free deadline tracker.

Free deadline tracker For property managers

When is Maryland lead rental registration renewal due?

On or before December 31 each year (Md. Code, Environment § 6-812(a)(1)). MDE says renewals must be done online.

What must a Maryland landlord do at tenant turnover?

Before the next tenant moves in, the unit must pass the lead-contaminated dust test with chipping, peeling or flaking paint removed or repainted, and be inspected to verify the risk reduction standard was met (§ 6-815).

How often must Maryland landlords give the lead notice and information packet?

At lease signing or the start of a tenancy, and at least every 2 years after that, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or another MDE-approved verifiable method (§§ 6-820, 6-823).

I just bought a pre-1978 rental in Maryland. What is due?

Register the property within 30 days after acquiring it (§ 6-812(b)), and give tenants the notice of tenant rights and the information packet before title transfer or within 15 days after (§§ 6-820(f), 6-823(f)).