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.
Sunrise in Chevy Chase is wonderful. They helped my mother make a diificult transition to assistance living. Not only did they successfully acclimate my mother but they counseled me also. My mother is...
After losing my husband of 48 years in death, selling our home of 30 years because it was to big, and falling into a state of depression, my son and daughter decided I needed a new scenery and Southwinds...
My mother has lived at Sunrise Montgomery Village for about 10 weeks now. I live about 30 mins away and see her once or twice a week. She loves her apartment, which is the perfect size for 1 person. The food...
This facility was one of the only places that would take my mom with severe dementia after she broke her hip and provides a very high level of care. The staff really go above and beyond to connect with...
what we like the most about Sunrise of Columbia is the staff. Their staff is engaging and very friendly and helpful with the residents. We would recommend this community to anyone who asks
My loved one is currently a resident at Lorien Harmony Hall and the experience has been mostly great. The friendliness, staff and care services are great. The music and activities are also great. I would...
Sunrise in Chevy Chase is wonderful. They helped my mother make a diificult transition to assistance living. Not only did they successfully acclimate my mother but they counseled me also. My mother is...
Our experience with Sunrise and their Memory Care unit was great overall. We felt that the staff genuinely cared for my mom and had her best interests in mind. I would especially like to complement [name...
The staff at Sunrise Hunter Mill are incredibly caring and helpful. My sister is in the memory care unit and they have made this transition so much easier and are able to put her at ease as well. I highly...
Expensive but well worth it. Food is ample and excellent w good variety; staff is delightful; activities are varied and interesting, but the staff makes the place. They couldn't be nicer to residents and...
Mom loves it there & the amenities & staff are all great. The proof is in my comments...She had been there for a year & my family visits weekly & has always found all amenities in order & the staff to be...
I discovered Brighton Gardens when faced with an emergency need for immediate respite care for my mother who has moderately severe dementia. The sales and administrative teams worked with me to facilitate...
The staff at Sunrise are what makes this the best place out there. They are so friendly, caring, and kind. I feel so comfortable knowing my dad is in the hands of people who truly care and want the best for...
I think the food is probably as good as any facility but I am a picky eater and don’t like any spice in food. I gained three pounds, however, so I got ample food. The caregivers were great and have a lot of...
My Mom loves Landow House. The staff are so sweet and always happy. They are very responsive. My Mom loves the activities. Field trips in Tuesdays and movies on Thursdays are her favorite. I can join her for...
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]
Likewise, tenants have responsibilities to uphold while renting a property. They must:
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.
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]
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
201 W. Preston Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-2399
Phone: 410-767-6500 or 1-877-463-3464
The People’s Law Library of Maryland. (2023). Landlord – Tenant.
The People’s Law Library of Maryland. (2023). Laws Against Housing Discrimination.
Maryland Health Care Commission. (2023). Assisted Living Performance Measures.
Overview of Independent Living in MD
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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