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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>79606</law_id><section_number>36-96.9</section_number><catch_line>Procedures for receipt or initiation of complaint; notice to parties; filing of answer</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>36-96.18</reference><reference>36-96.1:1</reference><reference>54.1-307.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="36">Housing</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="5.1">Virginia Fair Housing Law</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> A complaint under &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Powers of Real Estate Board and Fair Housing Board" href="/36-96.8/">36-96.8</a> shall be filed with the Board in writing within one year after the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred or terminated. <a id="paragraph-285203" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/36-96.9/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">person</span> not named in the complaint and who is identified as a <span class="dictionary">respondent</span> in the course of the investigation may be joined as an additional or substitute <span class="dictionary">respondent</span> upon written notice to such <span class="dictionary">person</span> by the Board explaining the basis for the Board&#x2019;s belief that such <span class="dictionary">person</span> is properly joined as a <span class="dictionary">respondent</span>. <a id="paragraph-285204" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/36-96.9/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">respondent</span> may file an answer to a complaint. Complaints and answers must be made in writing, under <span class="dictionary">oath</span> or affirmation, and in such form as the Board requires. Complaints and answers may be reasonably and fairly amended at any time. <a id="paragraph-285205" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/36-96.9/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Upon the filing of a complaint or initiation of a complaint by the Board or its designee, the Board shall provide written notice to the parties as follows: <a id="paragraph-285206" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/36-96.9/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> To the <span class="dictionary">aggrieved person</span> acknowledging the filing and advising such person of the time limits and choice of forums under this chapter; and <a id="paragraph-285207" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/36-96.9/#D1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> To the <span class="dictionary">respondent</span>, not later than ten days after such filing or the identification of an additional <span class="dictionary">respondent</span> under subsection B, identifying the alleged discriminatory housing practice and advising such <span class="dictionary">respondent</span> of the procedural rights and obligations of <span class="dictionary">respondents</span> under this chapter with a copy of the original complaint and copies of any supporting documentation referenced in the complaint. <a id="paragraph-285208" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/36-96.9/#D2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1991, c. 557.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
