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Practice Of Real EstateFair HousingHARD

A Maryland real estate agent named Kevin posts an advertisement for a rental property on a popular website. The ad includes language stating: 'Ideal for young professionals — perfect starter home for a couple just starting out.' A fair housing tester files a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, alleging that the ad violates the Maryland Fair Housing Act. Which of the following best analyzes the complaint?

Correct Answer

B) The complaint is valid because the ad's language suggests a preference based on familial status and age, which are protected under Maryland fair housing law.

Under the Maryland Fair Housing Act, Md. Code Ann., State Gov't §§ 20-701 et seq., it is unlawful to make, print, or publish any advertisement that indicates a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on a protected class. The language 'young professionals' and 'couple just starting out' suggests preferences based on age and familial status (implying no children), both of which are protected classes under Maryland and federal fair housing law. An advertisement does not need to explicitly refuse housing to a protected class to violate fair housing law; discriminatory preference language is itself a violation.

Answer Options
A
The complaint is invalid because the ad does not explicitly refuse to rent to any protected class.
B
The complaint is valid because the ad's language suggests a preference based on familial status and age, which are protected under Maryland fair housing law.
C
The complaint is valid only if the tester can prove that Kevin actually refused to show the property to a family with children.
D
The complaint is invalid because advertising preferences are fully protected by the First Amendment in Maryland.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

fair_housingadvertisingfamilial_statusageenforcementmccr

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