Baltimore renters
Convenience Fee Questionnaire
Please answer the following three questions regarding management companies/landlords that charge convenience fees for tenants who pay rent monthly through a portal. Your responses will be anonymous -- in fact, the only personal information required is your ZIP Code. Thank you!
How SNAP Benefit Cuts Would Affect Maryland Residents
According to a recent report by the Urban Institute, federal SNAP benefits will fail to cover the cost of a modestly priced meal in every county in the US, when the proposed cuts to the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan update go into effect. Maryland is one of the states that will see the biggest gap between benefit amounts and the cost of a meal. In Maryland, rolling back the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan would mean that a modestly priced meal would cost 70% more than the maximum SNAP benefit. Below, explore which counties would have had the largest difference between ...
Major Federal Housing Policy Changes
Below is information from the National Housing Resource Center about a series of significant policy changes recently announced by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). These changes impact mortgage eligibility, tenant protections, housing equity efforts, and fair lending requirements. FHA Changes – Effective May 25, 2025 Residency Requirement Update: Only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents will be eligible for FHA-insured loans. Non-permanent residents will no longer qualify for FHA financing. Borrowers must provide valid documentation, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) Read the mortgagee letter here. (Link opens a PDF.) The ...
Our 2023 Impact by County and Legislative District
Our Impact - County By County Click on your county to see how many people we have served in each legislative district in 2023.
Maryland Eviction Shielding Law Goes Into Effect
As of October 1, 2024, a Maryland tenant has the right to file an application with the District Court to shield court records that relate to eviction filings if the tenant paid the amount owed prior to the eviction and stayed in the property, and if it's been 12 months since the eviction order was issued. You can use this form and file with the correct Maryland District Court location. Also, the Maryland District Court is required to shield all the Failure to Pay Rent (FTPR) eviction records within 60 days of the final resolution of the case, and the ...
Maryland Fair Housing Fact Sheets
Maryland Fair Housing Fact SheetsHere are several one-page Fair Housing fact sheets you can download, relevant to Maryland residents. Fact sheets are in PDF format.The HOME ActDisability RightsFair Housing ProgramFair Housing Protected Classes: Federal, State, and LocalIf you need assistance with a Maryland landlord-tenant matter, please use our Tenant Intake Form.To file a Fair Housing complaint, please go here.
Community Group Meeting or Training Request
If your Maryland community group, HOA, or neighborhood association is interested in having our Fair Housing Specialist hold a training, please fill out the form below. For assistance with housing discrimination complaints, please fill out our Fair Housing intake form.
Request a Housing Provider Training
We provide training to Maryland housing providers on Fair Housing. Please use this form to request a training for yourself or your staff.
Did You Know? Maryland is a Pay and Stay State
Maryland tenants have the right to pay all money owed after your landlord files for eviction, and stay in the home. This applies even when the sheriff or constable shows up to carry out the eviction. Even if the landlord still wants to evict you, the landlord is required to accept the money and allow you to stay. You must pay the full balance, including fees or court costs. There is an exception to this rule: You have three or more judgements against you in previous eviction cases, within the past 12 months Four or more judgements against you in ...