Renting a home · Updated Oct 2026

I think a landlord discriminated against me

The federal Fair Housing Act bans housing discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status (children under 18) or disability, including refusing reasonable accommodations for a disability. You can file a complaint with HUD within 1 year, or sue within 2 years. Some states and cities protect more groups (for example source of income), and their agencies take complaints too.

This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case.

Build your plan

Choose your state and answer 3 quick questions. The plan below changes as you answer: steps that don't fit your answers are hidden, and your state's deadlines appear. It all happens in your browser. Nothing is sent, and the page address holds only your answers.

Your plan

Do now

  1. Write down what happened: dates, names, what was said, and any witnesses. Save ads, texts, emails and application papers.

    Why: Details and dates are key evidence.

  2. If someone threatened or harmed you, call 911.

    Why: Threats and intimidation linked to fair housing rights are also illegal under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3617).

  3. If you answered “I asked for a disability accommodation (for example an assistance animal) and was refused” to “Why do you think it happened?”

    If you need a disability accommodation, ask in writing and briefly say what you need and why it's related to your disability.

    Why: The law requires reasonable accommodations; a written request is proof.

This week

  1. You can file a complaint with HUD online, by phone at 1-800-669-9777, or by mail.

    Why: HUD investigates Fair Housing Act complaints; the deadline is 1 year after the act.

  2. If you answered “Yes” to “Is the landlord an individual renting a room in their own home or one unit in a small building they live in?”

    If the landlord rents a room in their own home or a unit in a small building they live in, ask HUD or a fair housing agency whether the federal exemption applies, and check your state's law.

    Why: The Fair Housing Act exempts some small owner-occupied rentals (42 U.S.C. 3603(b)), but discriminatory ads are still banned and state law may cover them.

  3. If you answered “More than 1 year ago” to “When did it happen (or when did it last happen)?”

    If it happened more than 1 year ago, contact legal aid or a fair housing group right away about a lawsuit (2 years) and your state's own deadline.

    Why: The HUD deadline has likely passed, but other deadlines may still be open.

  4. Check HUD's list of state and local fair housing agencies; in many places your complaint may be handled by a state or local agency.

    Why: HUD refers complaints to certified state and local agencies, which may also cover more groups.

  5. If you answered “Something else (for example source of income, age, voucher)” to “Why do you think it happened?”

    If the basis is not federally protected (for example source of income), check your state or city agency.

    Why: Some state and local laws protect more groups.

If it's not resolved

  1. You can also file a lawsuit in federal or state court within 2 years, in most cases whether or not you filed with HUD (not if you already signed a conciliation agreement or an administrative hearing has started).

    Why: 42 U.S.C. 3613 allows private suits with damages and court orders.

  2. If the landlord retaliates after your complaint, report that too.

    Why: Retaliation is a separate violation (42 U.S.C. 3617).

Deadlines

File a complaint with HUD

General rule: 1 year after the discrimination happened or ended (42 U.S.C. 3610(a)(1)(A)(i))

Official source

File a private lawsuit

General rule: 2 years after the discrimination happened or ended (42 U.S.C. 3613(a)(1)(A)); time while a HUD complaint is pending is not counted

Official source

State or local agency complaint deadline

General rule: check your state agency (HUD's list of certified agencies)

Official source

Documents to gather

  • Timeline with dates and names
  • Ads, listings, texts, emails, voicemails
  • Application, denial letter, lease
  • Names of witnesses
  • Written accommodation request and reply

Letters you can send

Fill in the blanks; the letter updates as you type. Copy it, print it or save it as a text file. Nothing you type is sent or saved: it stays on this page until you close it.

Request for reasonable accommodation (disability)

Ask in writing for a change in rules or policies needed because of a disability.

Dear [Landlord name],

I am a person with a disability, and I am requesting a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act for my home at [Rental address]. I am asking for: [Accommodation requested]. I need this because [Connection to disability]. I can provide reliable information supporting this request if needed.

Please respond in writing.

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Where to go

Costs

Filing a complaint with HUD or a state agency is free. A lawsuit has court filing fees, which can be waived if you can't afford them.

Talk to a lawyer if

  • You were evicted or denied housing and want damages
  • The HUD deadline (1 year) is close or has passed
  • You face retaliation for complaining
  • Many tenants were affected

Free help

Free legal aid for renters with low income: find your local office through the Legal Services Corporation (lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help) or LawHelp.org (lawhelp.org/find-help). Your state page on tenantrightsmap.com lists state tenant help. For help paying rent or utilities, call 211 or visit 211.org. HUD's state pages (hud.gov/states) list local tenant resources. Local private fair housing organizations, some funded through HUD's Fair Housing Initiatives Program (hud.gov/stat/fheo/initiatives-program), can also help.

Guides for your state

Choose your state above for direct links to its pages.

Questions

What is the file a complaint with HUD?

1 year after the discrimination happened or ended (42 U.S.C. 3610(a)(1)(A)(i))

What is the file a private lawsuit?

2 years after the discrimination happened or ended (42 U.S.C. 3613(a)(1)(A)); time while a HUD complaint is pending is not counted

What is the state or local agency complaint deadline?

check your state agency (HUD's list of certified agencies)

When should I talk to a lawyer?

You were evicted or denied housing and want damages; The HUD deadline (1 year) is close or has passed; You face retaliation for complaining; Many tenants were affected.

How much does it cost?

Filing a complaint with HUD or a state agency is free. A lawsuit has court filing fees, which can be waived if you can't afford them.

Plans by state

This plan is the same in every state. Each state's RobinClaim page lists its courts, agencies and deadlines:

Sources

Plan checked Oct 2026. Independently fact-checked 2026-10-24.

This plan is general legal information, not legal advice. RobinClaim is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and have exceptions: check with the official source or a lawyer or legal aid office about your own case. How we research.