Maryland Fair Housing
Updated Guidance from MCCR on Emotional Support Animals
The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) has updated their guidance on Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), due to the recent Federal changes. In Maryland, ESAs are still allowed, and landlords are not allowed to charge "pet rent" or a monthly fee because a tenant has an ESA. Nor can the landlord ban an ESA due to its breed or species. You can click here to read the full guidance document. If you feel you have been discriminated against by a housing provider, landlord, or property management company, please fill out our intake form and we can assist you with filing ...
Maryland OAG Announces Settlement with Bay Management Group
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that the Civil Rights Division of the Office of the Attorney General has reached a settlement with Bay Management Group, LLC (Bay Management) to resolve a claim of racial discrimination that resulted from tenant screening advertisements and applicant-facing materials used for Maryland rental housing that included criminal history language. The Civil Rights Division opened an investigation after receiving information that Bay Management advertised rental housing using phrases such as “clean criminal background check” or similar language. The Division found reasonable cause to believe that this language had a discriminatory effect. “A 'clean background ...
Changes to Maryland Housing Law
There are some big changes coming to Maryland housing law. Here's what you need to know, as these laws go into effect October 1, 2026. Fair Chance Housing Act Limits the use of background checks when someone applies for rental housing. It would ensure that Maryland residents with arrest and conviction histories have a fair chance to secure housing. There are, of course, restrictions on the type of criminal act committed, and other conditions. Go here to read the bill. Fair Housing and Anti-Discrimination Act Includes language that codifies disparate impact liability in Maryland's Fair Housing law that may affect ...
Post Crossover Priorities 2026
End Unfair Debt Practices SB 939/HB1098: Increase the amount of a homeowner’s equity protected from debt collectors. Each passed their chamber of origin and need to be amended to reflect the stronger, Senate amendments before final passage. SB865: Workgroup on the Affordability of Private Passenger Automobile Insurance – Extension and Alteration of Membership and Duties. Passed the Senate, waiting on action in the House. Keep People Housed SB353/HB523: Provide clarity to homeowners facing foreclosure and end zombie mortgage foreclosures. Passed the House, waiting on action in the Senate. SB180/HB213: Expand ability for fair housing organizations to root out discrimination. Passed ...
Tenant Guide: Updated for 2026!
Our popular Tenant Guide has been updated for 2026, and now includes information for victims of domestic violence, the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, and information on Maryland's new mold law. You'll find lots of tips and tricks for finding a rental property, navigating the lease and regulations, how to investigate the landlord, and more. Go here to download any of our landlord-tenant or Fair Housing publications and fact sheets, including our updated Tenant Guide and our Guide to Fair Housing for Maryland Landlords.
Act Now! Protect Debtors, Homeowners, and Tenants This Legislative Session!
Monday, March 23 is crossover day for Maryland’s General Assembly. This means that legislation needs to pass out of one chamber and cross to the opposite chamber by midnight on that date to have a good chance of passing this legislative session. Almost all of the bill hearings are done, so the next few days are crucial. Advocates are racing to ensure priority legislation makes it onto committee voting lists, moves out of committee, and passes on the House or Senate floor. All the while, monied interests are working hard to ensure bills die in committee, are weakened to the ...
Working to Keep People Housed in Maryland
Across Maryland, renters struggle to find safe, clean, affordable housing. Currently, landlords and property managers operate within a powerful, often under-regulated system with weak enforcement, loopholes, and structural power imbalances. Economic Action works to provide direct assistance to renters as well as pass legislation in Maryland to expand protections, assistance, and affordability for tenants statewide. This year, we've combined our Fair Housing and Tenant Advocacy programs into one program -- Housing Services, so we'll be able to better coordinate with our Securing Older Adult Resources (SOAR) program and policy work. We have a new Fair Housing Guide for Maryland Landlords. ...
Housing Services
Maryland Housing ServicesWe work to ensure Maryland tenants and homeowners are living in safe and healthy housing, free from discrimination, by providing Maryland tenants and landlords with free information about their rights and responsibilities on the following topics:Lease reviewsEviction Notification and Procedure, Illegal EvictionNonpayment of Rent (Please note: We do not provide financial assistance.)Code Enforcement, including licenses and inspectionsSubstandard or Unsafe Housing, including Denial of Essential Services (heat, water, stove, etc.)Security DepositsRent EscrowLead PaintFederal, State, and Local Fair Housing Laws, including Source of Income DiscriminationDisability DiscriminationEmotional Support Animals and Service AnimalsWe can also provide referrals to legal service providers, or ...
Keep People Housed — Take Action to Pass Key Reforms in 2026!
This past weekend marked the halfway point in Maryland’s 90-day legislative session. As we cross that benchmark, another, more critical deadline looms: March 23. This is crossover day, which means a bill has to have passed out of one chamber and crossed over to the opposite chamber to have a good chance to make it across the finish line this session. Several critical housing bills haven’t been voted on, and we need your help to get them on the vote lists and out of committee as the clock ticks down. Take action today! Corporate landlords and property managers are trying ...
Guide to Fair Housing for Maryland Landlords
Written by our Fair Housing Manager, LaToya McKay, A Guide to Fair Housing for Maryland landlords is now available on our website, at no charge. The guide will assist landlords with all phases of the tenancy process: Advertising, Application, Choosing a Tenant, and During the Tenancy. There's also a handy income and affordability calculation method to screen tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers or other forms of housing assistance. You'll learn more about Federal fair housing law, Maryland fair housing law, and we've included a handy cheat sheet that shows all of the Federal, state, and local protected classes. You can ...