Are landlords allowed to screen tenants based on their ethnicity in violation of Fair Housing Law?

The answer to this question is no, landlords in Maryland are not allowed to screen tenants based on their ethnicity in violation of Fair Housing Law. This law protects people from discrimination in housing, which includes decisions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. In Maryland, landlords are prohibited from asking questions about a potential tenant’s race, color, national origin, religion, sex or familial status. They also cannot deny rental housing to someone on the basis of any of these categories. Landlords are also required by law to show the same property to everyone, regardless of any of these factors. If a landlord does reject a potential tenant on the basis of any of the protected classes, they can be held responsible for a Fair Housing violation. Such violations are punishable by damages that they may have to pay the tenant. It is important for landlords in Maryland to be aware of the Fair Housing Law and to abide to it, as it not only protects tenants, but also ensures that landlords comply with the law and protect their own rights and interests.

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Are landlords allowed to screen tenants based on their ethnicity in violation of Fair Housing Law?

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