Summary
The user, an employee at a motel in Maryland, is questioning the legality of a policy requiring guests to change rooms every 21 days. She suspects selective enforcement of this policy, as she and another female employee are required to move, while a male employee is not. There is no specific Maryland law regarding motel room changes, but the users situation could potentially be a violation of the Fair Housing Act if it is proven to be gender-based discrimination. The user has been advised to document instances of perceived discrimination and to seek advice from a local legal aid organization or a lawyer specializing in employment or housing discrimination.Full Conversation
I am living at motel * and they make us change rooms every 21 days and I want to know if they are allowed to do that
What state are you currently residing in, Lindsay? This will help me provide accurate information regarding your rights as a motel guest.
maryland
Are there any written agreements or terms and conditions that you agreed to when you started staying at the motel?
no
In Maryland, there's no specific law about motel room changes. However, it's common for motels to have policies to prevent guests from gaining tenant rights.
is that leagl
Yes, it's legal. Motels can set their own policies as long as they don't violate state or federal laws.
Is there a law about making guests check out for 3 days after along term stay
In Maryland, there's no specific law requiring guests to check out for 3 days after a long-term stay. However, policies may vary by motel.
And it’s legal for them to do this to get around residency right
Yes, it's legal. Motels often use this policy to avoid establishing a landlord-tenant relationship, which comes with different legal obligations and protections.
rights
What specific rights are you referring to, Lindsay?
Are they allowed to make certain people move rooms but not others
Are you suggesting that the motel is selectively enforcing this policy? If so, do you believe it's based on a protected characteristic like race, gender, or disability?
yes
What makes you believe that the motel is selectively enforcing this policy?
because there is a guest who also does maintenance who has been here 2 years and hasn’t had to move rooms at all but I also work at the motel as a housekeeper
Are there any written policies at the motel that exempt employees from the room change rule?
No
What evidence do you have to support your claim of selective enforcement?
I work here everyday and live here and have seen him in the same room since I moved here 8 months ago and I’ve spoken with him about it, my other co workers have told me it’s not fair that I have to move rooms every 21 days and he doesn’t and my boss won’t give me an answer about it he just says everyone has to
Have you reported this issue to any higher authority or tried to discuss it with your boss?
i have talked to my boss and he won’t give a straight answer he changes the subject
Have you considered filing a complaint with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation? They handle issues related to employment discrimination.
no because I don’t want to lose my job
i haven’t filed a complaint because I work at the motel where I am living and I don’t want to be fired for lodging a complaint
Are you aware of any other employees who have been treated differently in terms of room changes?
There are * employees that live here in the motel and work at the motel two of us are female one is a male, us * females have to move every 21 days while the male doesnt
Do you believe this policy is being enforced based on gender? If so, it could potentially be a violation of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits gender discrimination.
i think it’s both favoritism and gender
What evidence do you have to support your claim of gender-based discrimination?
that there is * of us that work and live at the motel and the * females have to move rooms every 21 days and the male is not made to move
Have you documented these instances of perceived discrimination? It's important to keep a record of such incidents for potential legal proceedings.
no but I will from today on
What steps have you taken so far to address this issue, apart from discussing it with your boss?
I don’t know what other steps I could take who to talk to or what I can do
Have you considered seeking advice from a local legal aid organization or a lawyer specializing in employment or housing discrimination?
i have thought about talking to leagal aid or someone to find out what my rights are before I take a stand about it
What specific actions or behaviors have led you to believe that this is a case of favoritism and gender discrimination?
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