Contact BNI’s Fair Housing Staff at 410-243-4400for information on:
your rights or obligations under the Maryland fair housing law, or
obtaining advice and assistance in filing a complaint with the Maryland Human Relations Commission.
The Maryland Fair Housing law, was first enacted in 1971. It states that it is Maryland's policy “to provide for fair housing throughout the State of Maryland, to all its citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, marital status, or handicap; and to that end to prohibit discriminatory practices with respect to residential housing by any person or group of persons ....” (Section 19)
The courts have said that Maryland's law is “substantially equivalent” to the federal law. In two important respects, Maryland gives more protection. You cannot be discriminated against because of your marital status. This is defined as “the state of being single, married, separated, divorced or widowed”. In addition, there is a limit to the exemption for rooms or units in a dwelling in which the owner occupies a unit as his/her principal residence. In Maryland, these owners may turn down someone based on sex or marital status. However, they cannot discriminate against someone because of his/her race, color, religion, family status, national origin or hardship.
Enforcement procedures and penalties in the Maryland law are also similar to those in federal law. The Maryland Human Relations Commission is empowered to enforce this law. The commission may help to resolve disputes, conduct investigations, hold hearings, issue orders, award damages and civil penalties and seek the help of the court to enforce its orders.
The Maryland fair housing law also provides that any county or other local government may enact laws on any subject covered by the State law. However, these local laws cannot allow anything that is prohibited by State law.
Anyone who feels he or she has been discriminated against may file a complaint of housing discrimination to:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
Washington, D.C. 20410
Phone: 1-800-669-9777 or (TDD) 1-800-927-9275