Independent Living in Maryland

The state of Maryland falls in the middle of the country’s Northeast, Southern, and Midwestern regions, and its culture combines elements of them all. This is part of why Maryland earned the nickname “America in Miniature.” With the Appalachian Mountains passing through the far western part of the state, and the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coastlines in the east, Maryland’s geographical features give residents plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities — even in a small state. Annapolis and Baltimore are also home to many historic Colonial sites, and Washington, D.C. sits on Maryland’s southern border. Maryland is a transition state in several ways, which helps make it an attractive retirement destination.

Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 100 independent living communities in Maryland.

The median monthly cost of independent living in Maryland is about $3,600.

Independent living communities in Maryland don’t have to be licensed and aren’t regulated by a state agency, but they must adhere to local housing laws. They are treated as regular rental properties, but have age restrictions in place and offer senior-focused amenities.

It’s not uncommon for independent living communities to share a campus with other senior living facilities, like assisted living or memory care, which provide higher levels of care. The state does license and regulate these communities, meaning they must follow Maryland assisted living regulations.

Stand-alone independent living communities must follow the same rules and standards as any other rental property in Maryland. A lease for a term of one year or less is valid whether it is written or oral. However, anything lasting longer must be in writing and signed by the lease’s creator to be valid. A landlord’s responsibilities to renters include:^[01]

• Providing renters with a residence that complies with the state’s health and safety regulations
• Providing access to heat, light, electricity, hot/cold running water, and adequate sewage disposal
• Repairing the property within a “reasonable time,” which cannot exceed 30 days after receiving notice from a tenant
• Complying with laws governing security deposits and eviction procedures
• Notifying a tenant if they plan to raise rent and only raising rent upon lease renewal

Likewise, tenants have responsibilities to uphold while renting a property. They must:

• Pay rent on time
• Report damage or needed repairs
• Return possession of the property to the owner at the agreed upon time
• Return the property in the same condition as when they moved in, minus ordinary wear and tear

Besides the above, certain towns, cities, or counties may have other tenant responsibilities. For example, Montgomery County requires tenants to have a landlord’s written approval before keeping a pet on the premises.

Protections against discrimination

Courts state that Maryland’s law is “substantially equivalent” to federal law preventing housing discrimination. Homeowners cannot discriminate due to race, color, religion, family status, national origin, disability, and source of income, as well as gender identification, marital status, and sexual orientation.

Federal nondiscrimination laws like the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also protect tenants from discrimination due to disability. These laws require landlords to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications to those with disabilities so they can enjoy and use a dwelling. Examples include exceptions to a “no pets” policy for service animals and a reserved parking place for someone with a mobility impairment.^[02]

How to find independent living community inspection reports in Maryland

Though stand-alone independent living communities don’t undergo inspection reports, some apartment-based reports and inspections may take place. Residential rental properties built before 1978 are required to register in the lead rental registry and renew it annually with the Maryland Department of the Environment. Residential rental properties built after 1977 and properties that have a passing Lead-Free inspection certificate are exempt. You can search the lead rental registry online to confirm a property’s compliance.

Additionally, certain cities and counties may have their own rental regulations. For instance, Baltimore city rental units must be registered, inspected, and licensed by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The inspection requirements are publicly available to view, while those with inquiries can contact the DHCD by email at S8Landlord@habc.org or HCVInspections@habc.org.

Independent living options on a larger campus with other care options like assisted living or memory care may have other requirements. Generally, only the portions of a larger campus offering care must adhere to the relevant regulations.

Assisted living facilities with 10 or more beds require their own regular reports and inspections. This includes an unannounced health and fire safety inspection every one to two years, as well as annually collecting mandatory influenza vaccination policies and vaccination rates of assisted living staff. These reports are available online through the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC).^[03]

Maryland Department of Health contact information

Maryland Department of Health
201 W. Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-2399
Phone: 410-767-6500 or 1-877-463-3464