What is Fair Housing Law?

Fair Housing Law is an important set of protections for everyone in Maryland. It is a federal, state, and local law that prohibits discrimination in housing related activities based on certain protected classes. These classes include race, color, national origin, gender, religion, familial status, and disability. Fair Housing Law is meant to guarantee that everyone has an equal right to access housing. If an individual experiences discrimination in housing related activities, they can file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and/or a state or local Fair Housing Agency. Fair Housing Law also prohibits landlords from refusing to rent or sell a house to someone based on their protected class status. Fair Housing Law also provides protections for someone who is already living in a home. This means that a landlord cannot harass or evict someone based on their protected class status. If a landlord engages in discriminatory practices, such as refusing to rent to someone based on their race or gender, they can be held liable for damages. Additionally, landlords cannot include discriminatory terms or conditions in a lease. Finally, Fair Housing Law prohibits discriminatory advertising. This means that landlords cannot post ads that exclude potential renters or buyers based on their race, gender, or other protected class status. In short, Fair Housing Law is a set of laws that protect everyone living and looking for housing in Maryland by prohibiting discrimination in housing related activities. It guarantees that everyone has an equal right to access housing and provides other important protections.

Related FAQs

Are landlords allowed to impose certain rules or regulations on tenants in violation of Fair Housing Law?
Is a landlord required to make reasonable modifications to units for disabled tenants in accordance with Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords allowed to charge pet deposits or fees in violation of Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords allowed to deny housing to victims of domestic violence under Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords allowed to have different rental policies for different tenants in violation of Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords allowed to discriminate against individuals who receive public assistance in violation of Fair Housing Law?
Are there any restrictions on types of questions a landlord can ask tenants in accordance with Fair Housing Law?
How can landlords and sellers offer incentives to tenants in accordance with Fair Housing Law?
Are landlords allowed to deny applications based on a tenant's age under Fair Housing Law?
Is a landlord required to provide accessible features in units in accordance with Fair Housing Law?

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