Can my landlord retaliate against me for filing a fair housing complaint?

What the Law Says

The Fair Housing Act (FHA) prohibits not only direct discrimination but also retaliation against individuals who exercise their fair housing rights.

While 42 U.S.C. § 3604 primarily addresses discriminatory practices in housing sales and rentals — such as refusing to rent or sell, setting different terms, or falsely denying availability — the broader anti-retaliation protection comes from 42 U.S.C. § 3617, which is part of the same statutory framework. Section 3617 makes it unlawful to 'coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person' because they have exercised or aided in the exercise of rights under the Fair Housing Act.

This means that if you file a complaint with HUD, testify in a fair housing case, assist someone else in asserting their rights, or even inquire about those rights, your landlord may not punish you — for example, by raising rent, issuing an unwarranted eviction notice, reducing services, or harassing you.

Statutory Text

It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of his having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by section 3603, 3604, 3605, or 3606 of this title.

— 42 U.S.C. § 3617 — Protection of civil rights

What to Do

Sources