Bay Management Group Agrees to Settlement Over Discriminatory Tenant Screening Allegations

BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has announced a settlement with Bay Management Group, LLC, addressing discriminatory practices in tenant screening advertisements and applicant-facing materials used for rental properties across the state. The resolution, reached by the Civil Rights Division of the Attorney General’s Office, stems from concerns that advertisements for rental housing included language related to criminal history that had a discriminatory effect.

The investigation was initiated following reports that Bay Management Group utilized phrases such as “clean criminal background check” or similar wording in its advertisements. The Civil Rights Division determined that there was reasonable cause to believe this language could lead to discrimination. The settlement aims to ensure that housing providers conduct individualized assessments of applicants rather than implementing blanket rejections based on criminal history. This action is particularly significant as Maryland prepares to implement the Fair Chance Housing Act on October 1, 2026, which is designed to limit how conviction records can be considered by housing providers and reduce the racial impact of such screening policies.

Under the terms of the agreement, Bay Management Group will implement a criminal-history screening policy approved by the Civil Rights Division for its Maryland properties. This new policy will provide individuals who might otherwise be denied solely based on their criminal history an opportunity for an individualized assessment. Furthermore, the company is required to remove language such as “clean criminal background,” “clean criminal history,” and any materially similar phrases from its rental advertisements, qualification criteria, website content, application materials, and other public-facing or applicant-facing communications within Maryland.

In addition to revising advertising and screening practices, Bay Management Group has agreed to several other measures. These include updating the language used in applications and denial notices, providing comprehensive fair housing training to relevant personnel in Maryland, and designating a fair housing coordinator. The company will also be responsible for certifying its compliance annually and maintaining records of its compliance efforts. As part of the settlement, Bay Management Group will offer notice and application fee waivers to certain applicants who were previously denied, screened out, or had a conditional offer rescinded due to criminal history. The company will also pay $30,000 to the State of Maryland in civil penalties.

The settlement also addresses broader concerns regarding the messaging around housing vouchers and lawful sources of income. Bay Management Group has committed to revising its policies and materials for Maryland rental properties to clearly state that lawful sources of income, including housing vouchers, are accepted where required by law. The Civil Rights Division of the Maryland Attorney General’s Office is dedicated to protecting the rights of Maryland residents and promoting equal opportunity in areas such as housing, employment, and public services. The division investigates potential violations of civil rights laws and works to resolve them through policy reform, education, and settlements.

Residents who believe they have experienced housing discrimination or wish to report a civil rights violation can contact the Civil Rights Division by emailing civilrights@oag.maryland.gov or by calling 410-576-6300 or the toll-free number 888-743-0023. A Civil Rights Complaint Form is also available for submitting reports.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office

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