1 Del. Admin. Code § 602 § 5.0
Conciliation and Agreement
Operative Text
5.1 The opportunity to conciliate or settle a case is available at any stage of the complaint process and may include a no-fault settlement opportunity prior to the onset of the investigation; the Complainant shall be advised of the opportunity when a complaint is filed and the Respondent when a complaint is served. 5.2 Conciliation shall be initiated upon request of Complainant or Respondent or recommendation of the Division or the Panel assigned to the case. Statements made in the course of conciliation can be disclosed only as provided under the Act. 5.3 An employee of the Division may serve as conciliator. A Commissioner, who is not assigned to the hearing Panel may be appointed by the Chairperson to serve as conciliator. 5.4 Any agreement achieved by conciliation shall be set forth in writing and shall specify the appropriate relief agreed upon by the parties. The following may be included: 5.4.1 binding arbitration to resolve the dispute; payment of damages; 5.4.2 compensation or other monetary relief; 5.4.3 payments made to the Special Administration Fund of the Human Relations Commission under 31 Del.C., Ch. 30; 5.4.4 monitoring of future activities; 5.4.5 affirmative action measures; 5.4.6 closing or terminating the case; and 5.4.7 other relief agreed upon by the parties that will further the purposes of the Act. 5.5 A conciliation agreement shall become effective when signed by all parties and the Chairperson or his or her designee. 5.6 Written and executed copies of such agreements shall be given to all parties. Conciliation agreements shall be publicly available unless the complainant and respondent otherwise agree and the Commission determines that disclosure is not required to further the purpose of the Act. 5.7 Conciliation Agreements shall be enforced according to the Act.
Section 5.0 of 1 Del. Admin. Code 602 establishes a conciliation process that allows parties in a housing complaint to reach a negotiated settlement at any point during the complaint process, including before a formal investigation begins. A written agreement, once signed by all parties and the Chairperson or their designee, becomes binding and may include remedies such as monetary compensation, arbitration, affirmative action measures, or case closure. Statements made during conciliation are protected from disclosure except as permitted under the Act, and finalized agreements are generally made publicly available unless both parties agree otherwise and the Commission finds disclosure unnecessary.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 1 Del. Admin. Code 602 § 5.0, a respondent in a housing complaint — which may include a landlord or property manager — has the right to request conciliation at any stage of the process, including before an investigation formally begins. Operators who engage in good faith with the conciliation process may reach a written agreement that resolves the matter through negotiated terms such as monetary relief, monitoring arrangements, or case closure. Any agreement reached must be signed by all parties and the Chairperson or designee to take effect, and compliant operators typically retain copies of executed agreements for their records.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 1 Del. Admin. Code 602 § 5.0, a complainant — which may include a tenant who has filed a housing discrimination complaint — is informed of the conciliation opportunity at the time the complaint is filed and may request conciliation at any stage of the process. If an agreement is reached, it must be put in writing, signed by all parties and the Chairperson or designee, and a copy must be provided to the complainant. Tenants who believe a conciliation agreement has not been honored may look to the enforcement provisions of the Act, and tenant-rights organizations familiar with the Delaware Human Relations Commission process can help explain available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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