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  3. Housing and Community Development
  4. AFFIRMATIVELY FURTHERING FAIR HOUSING
  5. Fair Housing Law

Fair Housing Law

The Federal, State and Baltimore County Fair Housing laws prohibit discrimination in housing based on:

  • Race or color
  • Religion
  • Sex
  • Disability
  • National origin
  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity
  • Military veteran status
  • Age
  • Marital status
  • Source of income

ACCEPTABLE ACTIONS

  • Treat each applicant equally.
  • Be consistent in the information you request and the applicant approval process.
  • Document contacts with applicants and tenants in writing.
  • Keep a written copy of your policies and procedures on applications and occupancy.
  • Educate and train employees about Fair Housing Laws and practices.

UNACCEPTABLE ACTIONS

  • Make, print or publish any statement in connection with the rental of a dwelling that indicates a preference, limitation or discrimination based on a protected class. This prohibition applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from laws prohibiting housing discrimination.
  • Refuse to consider the income of multiple applicants applying to live together in one housing unit.
  • Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right.
  • Ask illegal questions about an applicant’s marital status, religious practices, or sexual orientation.
  • Steer applicants away from their desired property to other landlords or neighborhoods.
  • Ask applicants about birth control or family practices.

PROHIBITIONS

If only based on the renter's membership in a Federal, State, or local protected class, a rental property owner or manager is not allowed to:

  • Refuse to rent a home or apartment.
  • Refuse to negotiate for a home or apartment.
  • Make unavailable or deny a home or apartment.
  • Set different terms, conditions or privileges for rent of a dwelling.
  • Provide different housing services and facilities.
  • Falsely deny that a home or apartment is available for rent.
  • Represent that housing used by a protected class member may result in lowering of property values, change in the ethnic makeup of neighborhood, or decline in the quality of schools.
  • Deny anyone access to, or membership in, a facility or service related to the rental of housing, or discriminate against any person. 

EXEMPTIONS TO FAIR HOUSING LAW

  • Owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units.
  • Single-family housing sold without use of a broker.
  • Housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.
  • Some senior housing facilities and communities are exempt from liability based on familial status.
  • Gender preference may be acceptable if there is a shared kitchen or bath.

ADDITIONAL PROTECTION DETAILS

In general, familial status protections cover households in which one or more children under 18 years old live with:

  • A parent
  • A person who has legal custody (guardianship)
  • The designee of a parent or legal custodian
  • A pregnant woman
  • Any person in the process of securing legal custody of a child under 18 years of age

If a tenant, or member of their household:

  • Has a physical or mental disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities
  • Has a record of such disability
  • Is regarded as having such a disability

If the protection applies, a landlord may not:

  • Refuse to let the tenant make reasonable modifications to the dwelling or common use areas, at the tenant’s expense, if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing
  • Refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services, if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing

Baltimore County prohibits discrimination of military veterans. A veteran is a person who is:

  • A former member of the United States armed forces who was discharged from active duty under circumstances other than dishonorable
  • A member of the Maryland National Guard
  • A member of a reserve component of the United States armed forces

Explore Fair Housing

  • About Fair Housing
  • Fair Housing Law
  • Hud Conciliation Agreement

Contact Us

Fair Housing

105 West Chesapeake Avenue
Suite 201
Towson, Maryland 21204

Hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Email

dhcd@baltimorecountymd.gov

Phone

410-887-4902

Deputy Director of Housing and Community Development

Sylvia Bolivar
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Baltimore County Government
400 Washington Avenue, Towson Maryland 21204
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