The Federal Fair Housing Act was first passed in 1968 to prevent discrimination against people who are looking to rent or buy a home. It has been updated many times since it was first enacted. Currently a landlord cannot discriminate against a tenant on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. Advertising Your Maryland Rental Property When advertising a rental, you cannot express a preference for any type of tenant if such a prefe