Fair Housing Act

The federal Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they rent or buy a home, get a mortgage or seek housing assistance. HUD lists seven protected traits: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability. Housing providers who refuse to rent or sell to people based on those traits violate federal law.

Maryland adds protections of its own. The state's Tenants' Bill of Rights lists source of income among the things landlords may not discriminate on, so a lawful voucher counts as income. See Housing Choice Voucher.

For owners and managers, the rule is to apply the same written standards to every applicant. Advertise the home and its terms, not who should live there. Disability rules add duties, such as a reasonable accommodation. Real Property Management Gold states that it complies with all federal, state and local fair housing laws. Read our tenant screening guide for how consistent criteria work in practice.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney.