Cal. Civ. Code § 8-3-208
Discriminatory housing practice complaint procedures.
Operative Text
(a) An aggrieved person may, not later than one year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred or terminated, file a complaint with the administrator alleging such discriminatory housing practice. The administrator, on the administrator’s own initiative, may also file such a complaint. Complaints shall be in writing and under oath and shall contain such information and be in such form as the administrator requires. Upon the filing of a complaint under this subsection, the administrator shall serve notice upon the aggrieved person acknowledging the filing and advising the aggrieved person of procedural time limits and the choice of forums provided under this article. (b) The administrator shall, not later than ten days after the filing of a complaint or the identification of an additional respondent under subsection (d) of this Code section, serve on the respondent a notice identifying the alleged discriminatory housing practice and advising such respondent of the procedural rights and obligations under this article, together with a copy of the original complaint. Each respondent may file, not later than ten days after receipt of notice from the administrator, an answer to the complaint. (c) Complaints and answers shall be verified and may be reasonably and fairly amended at any time. (d) A person who is not named as a respondent in a complaint, but who is identified as a respondent in the course of an investigation, may be joined as an additional or substitute respondent upon written notice to such person from the administrator as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section. In addition to meeting the requirements of subsection (b) of this Code section, the notice shall explain the basis for the administrator’s belief that such person is properly joined as a respondent.
Under O.C.G.A. § 8-3-208, anyone who believes they have experienced a discriminatory housing practice has up to one year from the time the practice occurred or ended to file a written, sworn complaint with the administrator. The administrator must notify the complainant of procedural timelines and available forums, and must serve the respondent with notice of the complaint within ten days. Respondents have ten days after receiving that notice to file an answer, and both complaints and answers can be amended at any time. The administrator may also open a complaint on their own initiative, and additional parties can be joined as respondents during the investigation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers named in a fair housing complaint under O.C.G.A. § 8-3-208 can expect to receive formal written notice from the administrator within ten days of the complaint being filed, identifying the alleged discriminatory practice and outlining their procedural rights and obligations. A compliant operator generally reviews that notice carefully, responds within the ten-day answer window, and retains documentation relevant to the alleged practice. Operators should also be aware that additional parties can be joined as respondents during the investigation if the administrator identifies their involvement.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
O.C.G.A. § 8-3-208 gives individuals who believe they have experienced discriminatory housing practices the right to file a written, sworn complaint with the administrator within one year of the practice occurring or ending. Upon filing, the administrator is required to acknowledge receipt and inform the complainant of procedural deadlines and the choice of forums available under the article. Tenants who believe their rights may have been violated can explore filing a complaint directly with the administrator, consulting a tenant-rights organization, or reviewing other forums described in the article to understand the full range of 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 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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