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.
The facility staff always presents a professional attitude, and demonstrates great knowledge, and skills in operating the facility.
My dad was living independently until he fell, and we were all concerned about what he would be like during and after the process of moving him into assisted living. Fox Hill was the only place we felt...
Most of the staff is Spanish speakers first. You may have some problems there. Transportation to doctors appointments may be a issue. They only run Tuesday and Friday. There's a mileage limitation on that....
The facility is well maintained and bright. The staff engages the residents to participate in activities. Overall, Brighton Gardens feels like a home where loved ones are cared for.
The nurses and the nurse practitioners are very responsive. They don’t have a problem answering any questions you may have. The food is fair. There are plenty of activities for your loved ones to get...
I thought the staff was very caring and the admin for the most part were very responsive. Sometimes a shortage of staff or if alert button was pressed-could take up to 30 minutes for someone to check the...
They all have compassion. That is worth a lot during a stressful time. In general I have a very high opinion of Sunrise Chevy Chase and recommend it highly.
Everyone is genuinely happy to help and they make you feel comfortable. The facility is alive with activity and they always have something going on that you can participate in!
The facility staff always presents a professional attitude, and demonstrates great knowledge, and skills in operating the facility.
My dad was living independently until he fell, and we were all concerned about what he would be like during and after the process of moving him into assisted living. Fox Hill was the only place we felt...
We were especially appreciative of the end of life care offered by Sunrise at Bethesda. They paired seamlessly with the Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA), to make my brother's death dignified and peaceful
We have been very satisfied with how Brighton Gardens has cared for our family member. The staff has been terrific. They have calibrated to my sister’s needs. They have been supportive of both my sister as...
The place was recently renovated so that was nice. The food could be really improved for more nutrition and softer texture for easier consumption for the elderly
I think they need more staff but the ones they had worked very hard to keep everyone clean and comfortable. I liked most of the food but it was a bit repetitive if you didn't want the special at each meal. ...
We love it. This is the 4th place my Mom has been to and it's the best!! The facility is clean and doesn't smell of urine, etc. The staff is warm, friendly, readily available and responsive. The activities...
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
Find assisted living near you
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