Maryland Criminal & credit history rules

Can a landlord deny a tenant for criminal or credit history in Maryland?

Maryland's Fair Chance Housing Act (Real Prop. Subtitle 2A) applies to landlords that manage or own five or more rental units (not owner-occupied). Before a conditional offer, a covered landlord generally may not ask about criminal history (with listed exceptions such as certain sex offenses, murder, human trafficking, and sex-offender registration). After a conditional offer, the landlord may check records and may consider recent felonies and other listed convictions, and may withdraw only for a substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest, with written notice and a chance to seek reassessment. Statute text: "Request or require the prospective tenant to disclose in a housing application whether the prospective tenant has a criminal history or has been accused of or charged with any crimes" (Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-2A-05(a); scope § 8-2A-02; post-offer § 8-2A-06).

Verified Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. §§ 8-2A-02, 8-2A-05, 8-2A-06 · last checked 2026-10-16