Cal. Civ. Code § 36-96.8
Powers of Real Estate Board and Fair Housing Board.
Operative Text
A. The Real Estate Board and the Fair Housing Board, as provided in this chapter, have the power for the purposes of this chapter to initiate and receive complaints, conduct investigations of any violation of this chapter, attempt resolution of complaints by conference and conciliation, and, upon failure of such efforts, issue a charge and refer it to the Attorney General for action. B. The Real Estate Board and the Fair Housing Board shall perform all acts necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this chapter and may promulgate and amend necessary regulations.
Virginia Code § 36-96.8 establishes the authority of both the Real Estate Board and the Fair Housing Board to administer and enforce the state's fair housing law. These bodies may open investigations on their own initiative or in response to complaints, attempt to resolve disputes through conference and conciliation, and—if resolution fails—issue a formal charge and refer the matter to the Virginia Attorney General for legal action. The boards are also empowered to adopt and update regulations necessary to carry out the chapter's requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Virginia should be aware that under Va. Code § 36-96.8, both the Real Estate Board and the Fair Housing Board have broad investigative authority, including the ability to open a case without waiting for a complaint. Operators who maintain documented fair-housing compliance practices—such as consistent application criteria, staff training records, and written policies—are generally better positioned when a board inquiry arises. If conciliation efforts are unsuccessful, the boards can escalate a matter to the Virginia Attorney General, making early engagement with the process significant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Va. Code § 36-96.8 gives Virginia residents a formal avenue to raise fair housing concerns: complaints may be filed with either the Real Estate Board or the Fair Housing Board, which are authorized to investigate potential violations and pursue resolution through conciliation. If conciliation does not resolve the matter, the boards can issue a charge and refer it to the Virginia Attorney General for further action. Tenants who believe their fair housing rights have been affected may also consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the complaint process and 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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