6 Del. C. ch. 46 § 4619
Prohibition of intimidation, violations and penalties
Operative Text
Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, by force or threat of force wilfully injures, intimidates or interferes with, or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with: (1) Any person because of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, source of income, age, disability, or housing status and because that person is or has been selling, purchasing, renting, financing, occupying or contracting or negotiating for the sale, purchase, rental, financing or occupation of any dwelling, or applying for participating in any service, organization or facility relating to the business of selling or renting dwellings; or (2) Any person because that person is or has been, or in order to intimidate such person or any other person or any class of persons from: a. Participating, without discrimination on account of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, source of income, age, disability, or housing status in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in paragraph (1) of this section; or b. Affording another person or class of persons opportunity or protection so to participate; or (3) Because any citizen is or has been, or in order to discourage such citizen or any other citizen from lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, without discrimination on account of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, source of income, age, disability, or housing status in any of the activities, services, organizations or facilities described in paragraph (1) of this section, or participating lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing any denial of the opportunity to so participate, that citizen shall be fined for each such act not more than $2,500, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, and if bodily injury results shall be fined for each such act not more than $10,000, or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both; and, if death results, for each such act shall be subject to imprisonment for any term of years or for life.
Delaware law under 6 Del. C. ch. 46 § 4619 prohibits anyone — whether acting as a government official or as a private individual — from using force or the threat of force to injure, intimidate, or interfere with people engaged in housing activities on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, religion, sex, disability, source of income, or housing status. The prohibition also covers attempts to prevent people from supporting or encouraging others' fair-housing participation, as well as interference with peaceful assembly or speech opposing housing discrimination. Penalties escalate based on harm caused: a basic violation can result in a fine of up to $2,500 and/or up to one year in prison, rising to up to $10,000 and/or ten years if bodily injury results, and up to life imprisonment if death results.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Delaware law should be aware that § 4619 of Title 6 extends well beyond ordinary fair-housing compliance — it reaches any use of force or threats of force directed at applicants, tenants, or housing advocates on the basis of protected characteristics. Compliant operators ensure that neither they nor anyone acting on their behalf engages in intimidating conduct toward individuals exercising fair-housing rights, including those who assist or advocate for others. Maintaining clear anti-harassment policies and training staff on the scope of protected classes covered by § 4619 are practices generally associated with lawful operation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 6 Del. C. ch. 46 § 4619, tenants and housing applicants have the right to be free from force or threats of force intended to interfere with their ability to rent, occupy, or negotiate for housing because of a protected characteristic such as race, disability, source of income, or housing status. If someone believes they have been subjected to such intimidation, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with a Delaware fair-housing agency or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with § 4619. Because this provision carries criminal penalties, conduct that may violate it can also be reported to law enforcement authorities.
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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