Are landlords allowed to refuse tenants based on their race under Fair Housing Law?

No, landlords are not allowed to refuse tenants based on their race under Fair Housing Law in Maryland. The Fair Housing Law in Maryland was established to protect individuals from discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, disability, or other protected class. Landlords are prohibited from refusing to rent to individuals based on their race, or any other protected characteristics. The Maryland Human Relations Commission (MHRC) enforces the Fair Housing Law. Any person who believes that they have been discriminated against in violation of the Fair Housing Law can contact the MHRC to file a complaint. This complaint can then be investigated by the MHRC. However, if the MHRC finds reasonable cause to believe there has been a violation, they may refer the case to the Office of Administrative Hearings for a formal hearing. It is also important to note that under the Fair Housing Law, landlords can still reject tenants who do not meet their financial obligations or have a criminal background. However, any rejection must be consistently applied to prospective tenants regardless of their race. This means that landlords cannot apply different criteria or requirements to tenants of different races. To sum up, it is illegal for landlords to refuse tenants based on their race under Maryland’s Fair Housing Law. Any person who believes they have been discriminated against in violation of this law can contact the MHRC to file a complaint.

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