What Do You Do If You Think You Have Been
Discriminated Against?
- Negotiate, informally, with the landlord or
manager.
- File a complaint with HUD within one year from
the date of the discrimination stating:
Your name and address.
The name and address of the person or
organization you are filing a complaint against.
The type of housing involved and the
address.
A short description of what happened:
- who did or said what on which
date(s)
- why you believe your rights were
violated
Include any forms, leases, or brochures related
to your complaint.
- You may also:
File a private
lawsuit in state or federal court within two years. (If there is a state or
local Fair housing agency with the same powers as HUD - HUD may refer your
complaint to that agency.)
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Filing a Complaint
Any person who believes he/she has been discriminated
against based on their disability may file a complaint with the nearest HUD
office. Complaints must be filed within one year from the date the
discriminatory act took place and may be filed in person, over the telephone,
or by mail. If the information is given over the telephone, the HUD office will
put the complaint in writing and send it to the complainant for signature.
Some states and localities have Fair Housing Laws, which are
equal to the FHAA and are deemed substantially equivalent. If so, the agency
assigned to enforce the state or local law may receive the discrimination
complaint. If an aggrieved party is unsure of whether such a state or local law
exists, he/she should file the complaint with the HUD office. HUD will refer it
to the state or local agency if appropriate.
Each complaint must contain the following information:
- The name and address of the complaining party;
- The name and address for the person who committed the
alleged violation;
- A description and the address of the dwelling involved;
and
- A concise statement of the facts, including pertinent
dates.
Also, a complainant may bring an action directly in federal
district court within two years from the date the discriminatory act took
place. FHAA does not require the exhaustion of administrative remedies before a
case is filed in court.
For additional information on Housing Discrimination
Complaints, for an online complaint form, or to print out a complaint form,
click here. |
