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Maryland lead rental registration and certificates (2026)

Short answer: Every rental unit in a Maryland building built before 1978 must be registered with MDE and renewed by December 31 of your renewal year. Since January 1, 2026 the fee is $75 per unit for 2 years (it was $30 a year). Before each new tenant moves in, an MDE-accredited inspector must pass the unit for Full Risk Reduction (no peeling paint, then dust wipes). Units certified lead-free are out of the program. Without a current registration and certificate number, you can’t use rent court for unpaid rent.
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Who it covers

Every rental unit in a building built before 1978, statewide, no matter how much it was renovated. Originally pre-1950 buildings; expanded to pre-1978 on January 1, 2015.

How long it lasts

Registration: 2 years, due Dec 31 of the renewal year. Full Risk Reduction certificate: until the next tenant moves in. Lead-free: no expiry. Limited lead-free: 2 years.

What it costs

Registration $75 per unit every 2 years. Turnover dust inspections run about $165–$400 per unit on inspector price lists (not an MDE figure).

If you don’t comply

Not registering or renewing: MDE administrative penalty up to $20 per day per property. Unpaid fees: civil penalty up to triple the fee plus collection costs. Other violations: up to $500 per day. A renewal more than 90 days late puts the owner out of compliance, losing the law's liability protections (§6-836). Falsified certification reports can bring penalties of $30,000-$50,000. Landlords without current registration and a certificate number for the tenancy can't use rent court for nonpayment.

What you need and when

What you needWhenCost
MDE lead rental registration
Register every pre-1978 rental unit within 30 days of buying it. Renew every 2 years on or before December 31 of your renewal year (MDE may stagger which year). A new owner needs a new registration and tracking number. Update owner or manager info within 30 days of a change. Renewal is online only.		renew every year by December 31; every 2 years$75 per unit, paid once every 2 years (since Jan 1, 2026; was $30 per unit per year)
Full Risk Reduction certificate (dust test)
Before every new tenant moves in: no chipping, peeling or flaking paint inside or out, then a passing lead dust wipe test by an MDE-accredited inspector. Good until the next change in occupancy. A winter exterior waiver (Nov 1-Apr 1) is possible; the exterior must then pass by April 30.		before each new tenant moves inPaid to the inspector; roughly $165-$400 per unit on published inspector price lists
Modified Risk Reduction (after a notice of defect)
Within 30 days of a written Notice of Defect (from a tenant or the health department after a child's elevated blood lead test), either relocate the tenants to lead-safe housing or do the listed treatments (sills, window wells, top sash, doors, kitchen and bath floors) with MDE-accredited workers and pass a dust test.		--
Tenant lead packet
On or before move-in, give the Notice of Tenant's Rights, the EPA 'Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home' brochure, and a copy of the current inspection certificate. Re-give the materials every 2 years.		every 2 years; before each new tenant moves in-
Limited Lead-Free exterior recertification
Only for units certified Limited Lead-Free (no lead inside, intact lead paint outside). The exterior must pass re-inspection before the 2-year expiration date, or the whole inspection must be redone.		every 2 yearsLead-free processing fee: $30 per unit under current statute

Not covered

Certificate types

How to get inspected

An MDE-accredited lead paint visual inspector or risk assessor (dust tests). Lead-Free and Limited Lead-Free certificates require an accredited inspector technician or risk assessor using XRF or paint chips. Repair work needs MDE-accredited contractors and supervisors. The inspector files the certificate with MDE and gives the owner copies.

Typical cost: About $165-$400 per unit for a turnover dust inspection (MD Lead Inspection Services example $165 for an 8-room unit; DS Inspects from $300; LeadSafe Maryland $395). These are inspector price lists, not MDE figures. (source). More in what a lead inspection costs.

Fees

What to give tenants

The federal lead disclosure rule applies on top of this for nearly every rental built before 1978. What it requires.

Where to register or file

MDE Lead Rental Registry (online): Online portal using your MDE tracking number (call 410-537-4199 or email mde.leadreg@maryland.gov for one). Public property search: https://mdolrr.mde.state.md.us/CustomPages/PublicOLRRSearch.aspx

Evictions and rent

In a failure-to-pay-rent case for a pre-1978 unit, the landlord's complaint must state that the MDE registration is current and renewed, and give the inspection certificate number for the current tenancy. The only alternative is showing the tenant refused access or relocation for the work (Real Property §8-401(b)(2)(vi); court form DC-CV-082). Judges deny complaints missing this. Baltimore City also requires MDE tracking and certificate numbers for every unit to get or renew a rental license (licenses run 2 years initially, then 3).

Where sources disagree: Fee and cycle. MDE's 'Lead Registration for Landlords' page still says annual renewal at $30 per unit (mde.maryland.gov). The statute as amended by Ch. 604 of 2025 (HB 352) sets $75 per unit collected once every 2 years (mgaleg.maryland.gov). Maryland OneStop, MDE's 2026 Notice of Tenant's Rights, the 2026 SB 872 fiscal note and MDE's Jan 2026 commission minutes all agree: $75 per unit for 2 years starting Jan 1, 2026. Conclusion: $75 per unit every 2 years; the MDE page is out of date. §6-812 still reads 'renew on or before December 31 of each year or according to a schedule established by the Department', which MDE now applies as every 2 years. Lead-free processing fee: older MDE documents say $10, but the statute now says $30. Blood-lead trigger: the 2026 Notice of Tenant's Rights uses 3.5 µg/dL, while older fact sheets say 5 or 10. The statute ties it to the CDC reference level. New in 2026: Ch. 225 (SB 872), effective Oct 1, 2026, widens 'rental dwelling unit' to rooms with access to shared kitchens or baths (rooming houses, shared living), adding about 37,500 units by MDE's estimate.

MDE’s own landlord page still lists $30 a year. The statute as amended in 2025 (Ch. 604, HB 352) and MDE’s 2026 tenant notice say $75 per unit for 2 years. We follow the statute.

Keep every certificate on time

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Questions landlords ask

How much is the Maryland lead rental registration fee in 2026?

$75 per rental unit, and it now covers 2 years. It went up from $30 per unit per year on January 1, 2026 under the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025. Renewals are due by December 31 of your renewal year.

Do I need a new lead certificate every time a tenant moves out in Maryland?

Yes, unless the unit is certified Lead-Free or Limited Lead-Free. Before each new tenant, an MDE-accredited inspector must find no peeling paint inside or out and the unit must pass a lead dust wipe test.

Which Maryland rentals are covered by the lead law?

Every rental unit in a building built before 1978, statewide, even if fully renovated. Units certified Lead-Free are exempt from registration and turnover inspections.

What do I have to give a new tenant in a pre-1978 Maryland rental?

On or before move-in: the MDE Notice of Tenant's Rights, the EPA 'Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home' brochure, and a copy of the lead inspection certificate. Give the education materials again every 2 years.

Can I file for eviction in Maryland if my lead registration has lapsed?

For nonpayment of rent, your complaint must state that your MDE registration is current and give the lead certificate number for the current tenancy. Without them a judge can deny the case, unless the tenant refused access for the work.

What is the difference between Lead-Free and Limited Lead-Free in Maryland?

Lead-Free means no lead paint anywhere and never needs renewing. Limited Lead-Free means no lead paint inside, but intact lead paint outside, and the exterior must be re-inspected every 2 years.

Last checked November 6, 2026. Law: Md. Code, Environment §§6-801 to 6-852 (Title 6, Subtitle 8); COMAR 26.16.02; fee set by Ch. 604 of 2025 (HB 352, Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025). Agency: Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.

This page sums up published rules as of November 6, 2026. It is not legal advice, and myleadsafe is not a government site. Rules and fees change, and local offices add their own steps, so confirm with your town or city and the state agency before you rely on a date or a fee.

Sources (21)