If you’re buying, renting, or already living in a home in Maryland, you’re protected by federal and state fair housing laws. These laws help ensure everyone has equal access to housing—regardless of personal characteristics.
Maryland law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, source of income, or military status.
Depending on where you live in Maryland, your local county or city may have established additional protected classes, such as political affiliation or presence of children.
What Counts as Housing Discrimination?
Housing discrimination can happen when renting, buying, financing, or even while living in a property. Examples include:
- Refusing to rent or sell to a qualified applicant
- Applying different rental terms or fees
- Denying reasonable disability accommodations
- Advertising housing with discriminatory preferences
- Claiming a property isn’t available when it actually is
- Harassing residents because of a protected characteristic
Common Housing Discrimination Complaints in Maryland
According to the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights’ 2025 Annual Report, the most frequent housing complaints involve disability, race, source of income, and retaliation or harassment. Here’s what those issues can look like in real life:
Disability discrimination
This often involves denying reasonable accommodations or modifications. In one case highlighted in the report, a tenant alleged a housing provider refused to accommodate disability-related needs that affected their ability to safely use their home.
Race discrimination
Some complaints involve unequal treatment based on race, such as tenants reporting that residents of different races were charged different rents or received better maintenance service.
Source of income discrimination
Maryland law protects renters who use lawful income sources like housing vouchers. In several cases, property management companies were accused of refusing applicants who relied on rental assistance programs designed to help vulnerable residents secure housing.
Retaliation or Harassment
Tenants may also experience retaliation after reporting discrimination—such as threats, increased scrutiny, or other negative actions from landlords or management after a complaint is filed.
What to Do If You Experience Housing Discrimination
If you believe your fair housing rights were violated, you can file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. Complaints must generally be filed within one year of the alleged discriminatory act. To file, or for more information, visit the Commission on Civil Rights website.
Knowing your rights is one of the most effective ways to protect fair and equal access to housing for everyone in Maryland.
