Renting in Towson: what to check before you sign a lease
Whether you’re renting near Towson University, near the hospitals, or a house in one of the residential neighborhoods while you decide where to buy, a few checks protect you. I’ve run Property Management of Baltimore since 2014, so here’s the landlord-side view, written for renters.
Updated November 2026
Where the rentals are
- Downtown and near campus: apartment buildings, condos rented by their owners, and older houses close to Towson University and the courts.
- Rowhouse neighborhoods: occasional rowhouse rentals in areas like Rodgers Forge and around Loch Raven.
- Single-family houses: scattered through Towson’s neighborhoods, often rented by owners who moved or are holding the house.
Baltimore County limits how many unrelated people can live together in a single-family house. Towson University’s off-campus housing office explains the current rule; read it before you plan a group rental.
Check these before you sign
- Is the rental registered with the county? Most Baltimore County rental property must be registered for a rental license. The county publishes a rental property license search you can check by address.
- Lead paint compliance. Rentals built before 1978 must be registered with the Maryland Department of the Environment and meet lead paint requirements. Ask for the current certificate.
- The deposit and move-in money. Since October 1, 2024, Maryland caps most security deposits at one month’s rent, and landlords generally can’t require more than the deposit plus first month’s rent before you move in.
- The paperwork in the lease packet. Your lease should come with the Maryland Tenants’ Bill of Rights, which the state now requires. A lease without it is a red flag about how the rest is handled.
- Who fixes what, and how fast. Get the maintenance request process in writing, plus who handles snow, lawn, and appliances.
- Move-in condition. Do a walk-through with photos and a written list. It’s your best protection when you move out.
Laws change. Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development publishes current tenant rights, and for legal questions talk to a Maryland attorney.
Renting now, buying later
A lot of people rent in Towson for a year to learn the neighborhoods before buying. That’s smart. When you’re ready, I can help you compare what you pay in rent with what owning would cost, including Baltimore County’s property tax rate of $1.10 per $100 of assessed value for fiscal 2026. Read what first-time buyers in Towson should expect to see the other side.
Own a rental in or near Towson? I’ve run Property Management of Baltimore since 2014. If you’re a landlord with questions about leasing or management, call me and I’ll point you in the right direction.
Questions people ask
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Maryland?
For most residential leases, no more than one month’s rent, under the Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024, effective October 1, 2024.
How do I check if a Towson rental is licensed?
Use Baltimore County’s rental property license search on the county website, searching by address. Most rental property in the county must be registered.
Can several roommates rent a house together near Towson University?
Baltimore County limits the number of unrelated people who can live together in a single-family dwelling. Check the current rule with Towson University’s off-campus housing office or the county before signing.
What should be attached to my Maryland lease?
Maryland requires the state’s Tenants’ Bill of Rights to be included with residential leases. Also make sure you get a written move-in condition report.
Should I rent or buy in Towson?
If you’re new to the area or unsure how long you’ll stay, renting first is reasonable. If you plan to stay several years, compare total monthly cost of owning, including taxes and maintenance, against rent. I’m happy to run the numbers with you.
About Mike Fielder
Mike Fielder is a Baltimore Realtor and Sales Director of The Key Home Team at Cummings & Co. Realtors. Licensed since June 2016, he focuses on North Baltimore (Lake Evesham, Lake Walker, Cedarcroft, Hampden and Remington) and the Towson area. He also serves as Vice President of the Lake Evesham Community Association.
Over his career, Mike has sold 190 homes worth more than $56 million. He’s backed by The Key Home Team, which has sold more than $375 million in real estate and closes about $30 million a year.
Mike founded Property Management of Baltimore in 2014, two years before getting his license, and still runs it. Managing rentals taught him what repairs really cost, which updates buyers pay for, and how to keep a deal moving when something breaks. Sellers get that judgment when deciding what to fix before listing. Buyers get it when they’re reading an inspection report.
A Towson University graduate, Mike keeps his approach simple: price from real recent sales, spend money only where it pays back, and compare offers by what the client actually keeps.
More from Mike: Towson on mikesellsbaltimore.com · First-time buyers · Full bio
Questions about renting, or ready to buy?
Call or email me. I’ll answer honestly from both the landlord side and the buyer side.
The Key Home Team of Cummings & Co. Realtors
Cell: 410-905-6678
Email: mike@mykeyhometeam.com
Office: 410-823-0033
108 W Timonium Rd, Timonium, MD 21093
Website: mikesellsbaltimore.com