When to Use This Template
Use this to document housing discrimination based on a protected characteristic. The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination in housing based on:
- Race or color
- Religion
- National origin
- Sex (including sexual harassment)
- Familial status (children, pregnancy)
- Disability
- Sexual orientation or gender identity (in many states and jurisdictions)
Examples of discrimination include: being denied housing because of your race, being charged different rent based on your family status, being denied a reasonable accommodation for a disability, sexual harassment by a landlord, or being treated worse than other applicants because of your national origin.
This template helps you document the complaint clearly for filing with HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) or your state or local fair housing agency.
Pro Tips
- Be factual and chronological. Tell the story in order. Include dates, times, names, and what was said or done.
- Include witnesses. If anyone saw or heard the discrimination, note their names and contact info (if you have it).
- Explain why it's discrimination. State clearly what protected characteristic was involved and how the landlord's action was based on it.
- Include evidence. Attach emails, texts, photos, lease documents, denial letters, or anything else that supports your complaint.
- Act within the time limit. You typically have 1 year from the discrimination to file. HUD prefers complaints filed within 6 months, so don't delay.
- You don't need a lawyer. You can file a complaint with HUD or your local agency yourself, for free.
Template Narrative
FAIR HOUSING COMPLAINT NARRATIVE
Complainant Information
Name: [YOUR NAME]
Address: [YOUR ADDRESS]
Phone: [YOUR PHONE]
Email: [YOUR EMAIL]
Respondent (Alleged Violator) Information
Name: [LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER/COMPANY NAME]
Business: [PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY]
Address: [THEIR ADDRESS]
Phone: [THEIR PHONE]
Property Address
[ADDRESS OF THE PROPERTY WHERE DISCRIMINATION OCCURRED]
Protected Class
[SELECT: Race, Color, Religion, National Origin, Sex, Familial Status (having children), Disability, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, or Other]
Basis for Complaint
[DESCRIBE HOW THE DISCRIMINATION WAS BASED ON THE PROTECTED CLASS. EXAMPLE:
I was denied an apartment because of my race. OR
I was charged a higher rent because I have children. OR
I was denied a reasonable accommodation for my disability.]
Timeline of Events
[DATE AND TIME]: [WHAT HAPPENED. EXAMPLE: I visited the property and inquired about renting. I was told there were no units available.]
[DATE AND TIME]: [NEXT EVENT. EXAMPLE: I later learned that the landlord rented the unit to a white person. I believe I was denied because of my race.]
[CONTINUE WITH ADDITIONAL EVENTS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER]
How the Discrimination Occurred
[EXPLAIN WHAT THE LANDLORD DID OR SAID THAT VIOLATED THE FAIR HOUSING ACT. BE SPECIFIC. EXAMPLE:
The landlord told me over the phone that they "don't rent to people with children." When I mentioned I had a [AGE]-year-old son, they said the unit was no longer available. I learned the next week that the unit had been rented to someone without children. This is discrimination based on familial status.]
Impact and Damages
[EXPLAIN HOW THE DISCRIMINATION AFFECTED YOU. EXAMPLE:
I spent time and money applying for this unit. I was humiliated by being told I wasn't welcome because of my family status. I was delayed in finding stable housing. As a result, I [MISSED WORK / LOST INCOME / HAD OTHER NEGATIVE IMPACTS].]
Witnesses
Name: [WITNESS NAME, if any]
Phone: [WITNESS PHONE]
[DESCRIBE WHAT THIS PERSON WITNESSED]
Evidence
I am attaching the following documents:
- [Email / text message showing the discrimination]
- [Denial letter from landlord]
- [Photos or other evidence]
- [Any other relevant documents]
What to Customize
- [YOUR NAME], [YOUR ADDRESS], etc.: Your contact information.
- [LANDLORD/PROPERTY MANAGER/COMPANY NAME]: Who discriminated against you.
- [ADDRESS OF THE PROPERTY]: The specific property involved.
- [SELECT: Protected Class]: Choose the category that applies to you (race, disability, family status, etc.).
- [DESCRIBE HOW THE DISCRIMINATION...]: Explain the connection between your protected characteristic and the adverse action.
- [DATE AND TIME] / [WHAT HAPPENED]: List all events chronologically. Include exact dates and times if you remember them.
- [EXPLAIN WHAT THE LANDLORD DID OR SAID]: Include direct quotes if possible. Be specific about how their action was discriminatory.
- [EXPLAIN HOW THE DISCRIMINATION AFFECTED YOU]: Describe the impact on your housing search, finances, emotional distress, etc.
- [WITNESS INFORMATION]: If anyone witnessed the discrimination, include their name and contact info.
Where to File Your Complaint
- HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development): File online at hud.gov or call 1-800-669-9777. You have 1 year from the discrimination to file, but file sooner if possible.
- Your state or local fair housing agency: Many states have their own agencies that handle fair housing complaints. Call 211 or search "[Your State] Fair Housing Agency" to find it.
- Legal aid organization: If you need help filing, contact your local legal aid office (search "legal aid [your state]") or call 211.
What Happens After You File
- The agency will notify the landlord of your complaint.
- There's a period for investigation (typically 30-100 days).
- If the agency finds probable cause of discrimination, they'll try to resolve it.
- If no resolution is reached, the case may go to an administrative hearing or be referred for prosecution.
- You can request attorney fees and damages if you win.
- You can also file a lawsuit in court if you prefer.