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 ...
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. ...
Take Action to Protect Tenants! Close the HOME Act Loophole!
Housing vouchers and other rental assistance programs are a lifeline for families struggling to pay their rent. In 2020, Maryland passed the Housing Opportunities Made Equal Act, which added Source of Income to the list of protected classes in Maryland. The HOME Act was intended to ensure that landlords do not discriminate against tenants who use these rental assistance programs. Some landlords are exploiting a loophole to the HOME Act and use credit history or income information to refuse to rent to voucher holders. Applying credit and income-based screens to families participating in housing assistance programs is neither relevant nor ...
Strengthen Fair Housing in Maryland, Urge Your Legislators to Vote YES on HB392/SB107
Background In 2023, there were 198 fair housing complaints in the Baltimore Metro region. At Economic Action, we’ve received many fair housing complaints with a large number of complaints based on access to reasonable accommodations to assist residents with a disability. To determine whether housing providers are discriminating against Marylanders due to race, gender, ethnicity, how someone pays for their rent, or other protected reasons, fair housing organizations conduct tests to see if discrimination exists. The Problem In 39 states including Virginia and the District of Columbia, fair housing testers use an audio recording to accurately capture the conversation with ...
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.
Maryland Housing Services Publications
Maryland Landlord-Tenant and Fair Housing Publications Please click on a topic below, to download a one-page fact sheet or guide. Fact sheets and other publications are in PDF format. Maryland landlord-Tenant Fact SheetsAir ConditioningRent EscrowRatio Utility Billing (RUBS)Security DepositsMaryland Mold LawMaryland Eviction Facts for RentersMaryland Fair Housing Fact SheetsDisability RightsSource of Income DiscriminationMaryland Protected Classes Cheat SheetEmotional Support and Service Animal FactsGuides Our comprehensive Tenant Guide is updated each year, as laws change. You’ll find information on how to choose a suitable property, what’s allowed in a lease, and how to find information on your prospective landlord, ...
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 ...