Maryland Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early)

A free Maryland lease termination letter (ending a lease early) that follows Maryland law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.

What Maryland law says

Ending a lease: military, medical, death	Military: an active service member, or the member's spouse, who receives a change of assignment owes no more than rent then due plus 30 days' rent after giving written notice and proof, plus repair costs for damage. A change of assignment includes PCS orders, temporary duty over 90 days, orders to move on base, and release from active duty. Medical: a tenant owes no more than 2 months' rent after moving out if, before vacating, they give written notice with a move-out date and a certification from a Maryland-licensed physician or psychologist, on letterhead or a prescription form. The certification must state that a medical condition restricts mobility, requires a move for a higher level of care, or is a mental disorder making continued residence unfeasible. The medical rule does not apply if the lease already has an early-termination clause requiring 1 month's notice or less and charging 2 months' rent or less. Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-212.1, 8-212.2
Ending a lease: domestic violence	A tenant who is, or whose legal occupant is, a 'victim of abuse' may end future lease liability with written notice of intent to vacate, sent by first-class mail or hand delivery, stating the victim status. The notice must include one of these: a protective order, a peace order based on abuse, or a qualified third party's report signed within the past 60 days with the alleged abuser's name and description redacted. The tenant has 30 days to move out and owes rent only from the notice date until move-out, up to 30 days. A tenant who leaves sooner must send a signed, notarized notice of vacating by first-class mail or hand delivery; the landlord must then inspect and confirm the rent owed or refund due. If the tenant has not left within 30 days, the landlord may treat them as a holdover or treat the notice as withdrawn. The abuser's liability does not end. Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-5A-02, 8-5A-03

Ending a lease: military, medical, death

Military: an active service member, or the member's spouse, who receives a change of assignment owes no more than rent then due plus 30 days' rent after giving written notice and proof, plus repair costs for damage. A change of assignment includes PCS orders, temporary duty over 90 days, orders to move on base, and release from active duty. Medical: a tenant owes no more than 2 months' rent after moving out if, before vacating, they give written notice with a move-out date and a certification from a Maryland-licensed physician or psychologist, on letterhead or a prescription form. The certification must state that a medical condition restricts mobility, requires a move for a higher level of care, or is a mental disorder making continued residence unfeasible. The medical rule does not apply if the lease already has an early-termination clause requiring 1 month's notice or less and charging 2 months' rent or less.

Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-212.1, 8-212.2

Ending a lease: domestic violence

A tenant who is, or whose legal occupant is, a 'victim of abuse' may end future lease liability with written notice of intent to vacate, sent by first-class mail or hand delivery, stating the victim status. The notice must include one of these: a protective order, a peace order based on abuse, or a qualified third party's report signed within the past 60 days with the alleged abuser's name and description redacted. The tenant has 30 days to move out and owes rent only from the notice date until move-out, up to 30 days. A tenant who leaves sooner must send a signed, notarized notice of vacating by first-class mail or hand delivery; the landlord must then inspect and confirm the rent owed or refund due. If the tenant has not left within 30 days, the landlord may treat them as a holdover or treat the notice as withdrawn. The abuser's liability does not end.

Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-5A-02, 8-5A-03

Fill in your letter

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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]

From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]

I am ending my lease early under Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-212.1, 8-212.2 for this reason: [the reason the law allows, e.g. active military orders].

I have attached [the documents the law requires, e.g. a copy of the orders].

My termination date is [termination date], and I will return the keys by [key return date].

Please return my security deposit, less only lawful deductions, to [forwarding address].

Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________

How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.