smarter.com

1. Landlord - Tenant
2. Discrimination
3. Laws Against Housing Discrimination
   
   Laws Against Housing Discrimination
   
   Federal Law State Law What is Prohibited? Special Provisions for People with Disabilities Discrimination against Families with Children Exemptions to the Fair Housing Act Enforcement Provisions and Penalties for Violations of the Law
   
   Federal law restricts discrimination in the rental, sale, advertising and financing of housing on the basis of your race, color, religious beliefs, gender, nationwide origin, household status, i.e., pregnancy or having custody of a child under age 18 or impairment. Maryland and a number of its local jurisdictions have at least similar laws, as well as extra protections.
   
   The national policy against housing discrimination is defined in the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968. In addition, there are provisions in the Civil Rights Act of 1866 which the Supreme Court of the United States has actually interpreted as prohibiting "all racial discrimination, private along with public, in the sale or leasing of residential or commercial property." Unlike the 1968 law, the 1866 law consists of no exceptions and no limit on the quantity of damages which can be granted to a complainant.
   
   Who is Protected?
   
   The federal Fair Housing Act is consisted of in Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. It was changed in 1974 and again in 1978. The Fair Housing Act restricts housing discrimination versus an individual who falls in any of the following 7 groups. Anyone dealt with unjustly due to the fact that of: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, households with kids and people with disabilities (handicap). These 7 groups are considered "protected classes" under the Act and its changes. "Protected classes" suggest the classifications of discrimination that are covered by the law.
   
   Read the Law: The Fair Housing Act of 1968 (42 USC 3601, et seq.)
   
   The courts have actually said that Maryland's law is "substantially equivalent" to the federal law. In two crucial respects, Maryland offers more protection. First, Maryland broadens on the protected classes of the federal law. You can not be discriminated against due to the fact that of your marital status, gender identification, sexual preference, or income.
   
   Marital status is specified as "the state of being single, married, separated, divorced or widowed." "Sexual preference" indicates the identification of a specific regarding male or female homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality. Gender identity is specified to indicate the gender related identity, look, expression, or habits of a person, no matter the person's designated sex at birth. In addition, there is a limit to the exemption for rooms or units in a residence in which the owner occupies a system as his/her principal residence. In Maryland, these owners may turn down somebody based on sex, sexual preference, gender identity or marital status. However, they can not victimize somebody because of his/her race, color, religion, family status, nationwide origin, special needs, or source of earnings.
   
   Read the Law: Md. Code, State Government, § 20-101, 20-704, 20-705
   
   Local jurisdictions (such as the counties or towns) also protect all of the groups covered by federal and state law and often consist of additional classifications such as age (in Baltimore City, 18 or older), sexual choice, occupation and source of income. See regional law short articles.
   
   The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to commit any of the following acts against a person who falls within any of the groups secured by the law.
   
   Sale or Rental of Residential Real Estate - Refuse to offer, rent or otherwise make unavailable or deny any dwelling