Cal. Civ. Code § 186-1-.05

Complaint Processing

In Force
Verified 10/27/2026 · Next check 11/3/2026
effective 10/27/2026GeorgiaFair Housing & Anti-Discrimination

Operative Text

Cal. Civ. Code § 186-1-.05
(1)

The Administrator's staff shall promptly investigate the allegations of unlawful practice set forth in the complaint, and within 15 days of filing, shall serve the Respondent with a copy of the complaint. The complaint shall be barred unless filed within 180 days after the alleged unlawful practice occurs.

(2)

Within 90 days after the complaint has been filed, the Administrator shall determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe the Respondent has engaged in an unlawful practice. If it is determined that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the Respondent has engaged in an unlawful practice, the Administrator shall issue an order dismissing the complaint.

(3)

Within ten days after receiving a copy of the order dismissing the complaint, the charging party may file with the Administrator an application for reconsideration of the order. Upon such application, the Administrator shall determine within 15 days whether there is reasonable cause to believe that the Respondent has engaged in an unlawful practice. If it is again determined that there is not reasonable cause to believe that the Respondent has engaged in an unlawful practice, the Administrator shall issue an order dismissing the complaint and notifying the Complainant that such Complainant has the right to request a right to sue letter from the appropriate federal agency or petition for review in the appropriate Superior Court as provided for in the Fair Employment Practices Act of 1978, as amended.

(4)

After investigation or after review provided for in section (3), above, if the Administrator determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that the Respondent has engaged in an unlawful practice, then the Administrator's staff shall first endeavor to eliminate the unlawful practice by conference, conciliation, and persuasion. The terms of the conciliation agreement reached with the Respondent may require the Respondent to refrain from the commission of unlawful discriminatory practices in the future and make such further provisions as may he agreed upon between the Administrator and Respondent. If a conciliation agreement is entered into, the Administrator shall issue and serve on the Complainant a final order stating the terms.

(5)

In the event the Administrator determines that there is reasonable cause to believe an agency or authority has engaged in an unlawful practice as defined in the Fair Employment Practices Act of 1978, as amended, and the Administrator's staff is unable to eliminate the alleged unlawful practice by conference, conciliation, and persuasion, the Administrator shall refer the complaint to a Special Master.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Under Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 186-1 § 186-1-.05, when a complaint alleging an unlawful practice is filed, the Administrator's staff must investigate promptly, serve the respondent within 15 days, and reach a reasonable-cause determination within 90 days. Complaints not filed within 180 days of the alleged unlawful practice are time-barred. If reasonable cause is found, the Administrator first attempts resolution through conference, conciliation, and persuasion; if those efforts fail against a government agency or authority, the matter is referred to a Special Master.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 27, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Property owners or managers named as respondents in a complaint under Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 186-1 § 186-1-.05 can generally expect to receive a copy of the complaint within 15 days of its filing and to have a reasonable-cause determination issued within 90 days. If reasonable cause is found, compliant operators typically engage in the Administrator's conciliation process in good faith, which may result in a binding conciliation agreement setting out future obligations. Keeping thorough records of housing practices and communications is a common part of operating in a way that supports a clear response to any allegations.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. ch. 186-1 § 186-1-.05 establishes procedural rights for individuals who file fair-practice complaints, including the right to seek reconsideration within ten days if the Administrator initially dismisses the complaint. If reconsideration also results in dismissal, the provision informs complainants of their right to request a right-to-sue letter from the appropriate federal agency or to petition for review in Superior Court under the Fair Employment Practices Act of 1978. Tenants who believe they have experienced an unlawful practice may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand these procedural timelines and options.

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 27, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 27, 2026
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