Cal. Civ. Code § 20-707
Md. Code Ann., State Gov't Art. Title 20 — Fair Housing and Anti-Discrimination
Operative Text
(a) In this section, “residential real estate–related transaction” means: (1) the making or purchasing of loans or providing other financial assistance: (i) for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling; or (ii) secured by residential real estate; or (2) the selling, brokering, or appraising of residential real property. (b) (1) A person whose business includes engaging in residential real estate–related transactions may not discriminate against any person in making available a transaction, or in the terms or conditions of a transaction, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, source of income, or military status. (2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not prohibit a person engaged in the business of furnishing appraisals of real property from taking into consideration factors other than race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, source of income, or military status. (c) A person may not, because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, source of income, or military status: (1) deny a person access to, or membership or participation in, a multiple–listing service, real estate brokers’ organization, or other service, organization, or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings; or (2) discriminate against a person in the terms or conditions of membership or participation.
Maryland State Government Code § 20-707 prohibits discrimination in residential real estate transactions based on a broad set of protected characteristics, including race, religion, sex, disability, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, and military status, among others. This applies to activities such as mortgage lending, property appraisals, and the sale or rental of homes. The provision also bars exclusion from real estate industry organizations and multiple-listing services on those same grounds. Appraisers are permitted to consider legitimate, non-protected factors when valuing property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 20-707, property owners and managers who engage in residential real estate transactions—including financing, selling, or renting—must ensure that protected characteristics play no role in the terms or availability of those transactions. Compliant operators typically maintain consistent, documented criteria for evaluating applicants and transactions, and they avoid policies that could have a disparate impact based on any of the listed characteristics. Participation in industry organizations and listing services must likewise be offered without regard to those protected categories.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 20-707 gives renters and home-seekers the right to be free from discrimination in financing, sales, and access to real estate services based on characteristics such as race, source of income, disability, or familial status. If a tenant or prospective buyer believes this provision has been violated, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with a state or federal fair housing agency, raising the violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights or fair housing organization for guidance. Consulting with a fair housing advocate can help clarify which options may be available in a given situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.