What is the correct answer to: Under Maryland law, refusing to rent to someone with a housing voucher is:

The correct answer is Illegal source of income discrimination. Maryland's source of income protection is codified in the Maryland Fair Housing Act under Maryland Code, State Government Article §20-705, which prohibits discrimination in the rental of housing based on source of income, explicitly including Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and other government rental assistance programs. This statewide protection applies to virtually all rental housing in Maryland and makes it illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent, impose different terms, or otherwise discriminate against a prospective tenant solely because they intend to pay rent using a housing voucher. Violation of this provision can result in civil penalties, damages, and injunctive relief.

What background knowledge is needed for this Practice Of Real Estate question?

Source of income discrimination protections emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries as fair housing advocates documented that the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, while groundbreaking, did not explicitly protect against discrimination based on how a tenant pays rent. The federal Housing Choice Voucher program (commonly called Section 8) was created in 1974 to give low-income families more choice in where they lived, but widespread landlord refusals to accept vouchers undermined the program's goals. Maryland was among a growing number of states — including New York, California, and New Jersey — to enact statewide source of income protections, with the Maryland law being strengthened over time to provide comprehensive coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated interest in these protections as emergency rental assistance programs created new 'sources of income' that landlords attempted to refuse.

What is a good way to remember the answer to this Practice Of Real Estate question?

Remember Maryland's rule with the phrase 'In Maryland, HOW you pay is WHO you are' — just as you cannot discriminate based on who a person is (race, religion, etc.), you cannot discriminate based on how they pay (voucher, subsidy, assistance). Visualize a Maryland state flag draped over a Section 8 voucher with a big red circle-slash through the word 'REFUSED' — Maryland says you cannot refuse the voucher. Remember VOTE when encountering questions about housing vouchers: Voucher holders are protected, Opposing this is illegal, Tenants have equal rights, Everyone deserves housing access

What exam tip applies to this Practice Of Real Estate question?

For fair housing questions involving source of income, always check whether the question specifies federal law or state law — the federal Fair Housing Act does NOT protect source of income, but many states including Maryland do, and exam questions are specifically designed to test whether you know the difference between federal and state-level protections. When a question mentions a specific state like Maryland, always apply state law, which may be more protective than federal law.

How does this Practice Of Real Estate concept apply in real world practice?

Consider a single mother in Montgomery County, Maryland, who receives a Housing Choice Voucher that will cover $1,400 of her $1,600 monthly rent, with her responsible for the $200 balance. She applies for a well-maintained apartment, meets all income and credit criteria, and has excellent rental references, but the landlord tells her 'we don't accept Section 8.' Under Maryland's source of income discrimination law, the landlord has just committed an illegal act. The tenant can file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, and the landlord may face civil penalties, be ordered to rent to the tenant, and be required to pay the tenant's attorney fees and damages.

Practice Of Real EstateFair HousingMEDIUM

Under Maryland law, refusing to rent to someone with a housing voucher is:

Correct Answer

B) Illegal source of income discrimination

Maryland prohibits source of income discrimination, including discrimination against Section 8 voucher holders.

Answer Options

Legal

Illegal source of income discrimination

Only illegal in Baltimore

At landlord discretion

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Under Maryland law, refusing to rent to someone with a housing voucher is:

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