Do Maryland Landlords Need Medical Proof for Disability Accommodations?

Renters in Maryland with disabilities have legal rights to request reasonable accommodations from their landlords. If you need modifications or policy changes to access your home equally, understanding what information landlords can request is vital—especially around providing medical proof.

Understanding Reasonable Accommodations in Maryland

Under the federal Fair Housing Act and Maryland law, landlords must make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. These are changes to rules or units that let a person with a disability live safely and comfortably, such as:

• Installing grab bars in the bathroom
• Allowing service animals in a "no pets" building
• Adjusting parking rules for accessible parking

Maryland’s Fair Housing laws mirror these federal protections.^[1]

Can Maryland Landlords Ask for Medical Proof?

Landlords have the right to request limited documentation if your disability or need for accommodation is not obvious. However, they cannot:

• Ask for detailed medical records or diagnoses
• Demand to know your specific disability
• Require a particular form from your doctor

They can ask for a letter from a health care provider, social worker, or another qualified third party that verifies you have a disability and need the accommodation. The information should confirm:

• You have a disability as defined by law (without specifying the disability)
• A disability-related need for the requested accommodation

For example, if you request a reserved accessible parking space, but your need isn’t visible, the landlord can ask for a brief letter from your provider stating you require it because of a disability.

What Official Forms Are Used?

There is no required state form in Maryland for requesting accommodation, but your request should be in writing for your records. A sample "Request for Reasonable Accommodation" letter is available from the U.S. Department of Justice.

• Name: Reasonable Accommodation Request Letter
• When to use: If you need your landlord to change a policy, allow a service animal, or modify your unit due to a disability.
• How to use: Send the completed letter (with a simple statement from your provider if needed) to your landlord. Keep a copy.
• Sample Reasonable Accommodation Letter (DOJ)

Privacy and Your Rights

Your medical privacy is protected. Landlords should not demand details about your diagnosis or treatment. If you feel a landlord is asking for too much personal information or is denying your request without good reason, you have the right to file a complaint.

Your provider needs to confirm only that you have a disability and need the requested accommodation—not details about your medical condition.

How to Request an Accommodation in Maryland

Follow these steps to request a reasonable accommodation:

• Write a letter or email to your landlord explaining your request.
• Get a brief note from a qualified professional if your disability or need isn’t obvious.
• Submit the request and keep copies of everything for your records.
• If your request is denied or ignored, contact Maryland’s Commission on Civil Rights.

Most accommodation requests are resolved informally—but if you need to challenge a denial, you can file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR), the agency handling housing discrimination cases in the state.^[2]

What If the Landlord Refuses or Asks for Too Much?

Landlords may deny requests only if they are unreasonable (cause major expense or fundamentally alter housing) or if you don’t actually require the accommodation. If they ask for detailed medical records or refuse valid requests, seek support:

• File a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights
• Consult a local legal aid or fair housing organization

FAQ: Maryland Disability Accommodation Proof

1. Can my landlord ask what my specific disability is?
   No. Landlords can ask for confirmation of a disability and the need for accommodation but not for a specific diagnosis.
2. Do I have to provide a doctor's note every year?
   No. Once your need is established, you do not typically need to renew documentation unless your disability or accommodation needs change.
3. What if my landlord denies my request?
   You can file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
4. Does my landlord have to use a special form?
   No. You can make a written request in your own words or by using a sample letter; there is no required form in Maryland.
5. Who handles rental disputes and discrimination complaints in Maryland?
   The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights manages complaints about housing discrimination and accommodations.

Key Takeaways

• Landlords in Maryland can ask for simple disability verification but not detailed medical records.
• Use a written request and keep copies of all communication.
• Contact the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights if your request is denied or you feel discriminated against.

Understanding your rights helps ensure you get the accommodations you need without giving up your privacy.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Maryland Commission on Civil Rights – Housing Discrimination Complaint Form (official state agency for tenant fair housing rights)
• U.S. Department of Justice – Fair Housing Act Overview
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
• Maryland Attorney General – Landlord-Tenant Rights

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1. See Maryland Code, State Government § 20-705 – Discrimination in Housing
2. Learn more about tenant protections and filing complaints via the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights housing resources

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