OAR 839 § 839-003-0220
Housing Discrimination Investigations
Operative Text
(1) The division will investigate the allegations contained in any complaint filed under ORS 659A.820 or 659A.825 alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 – 3614a) to determine whether there is substantial evidence of unlawful discrimination. The division will determine the method by which complaints will be investigated or otherwise processed. The division will not investigate allegations occurring more than one year prior to the date the complaint was filed unless the allegations constitute a continuing violation or the circumstances occurring more than one year prior to the date the complaint was filed pertain to timely allegations. (2) The division will commence an investigation of any complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 – 3614a) within 30 days after the timely filing of the complaint. (3)(a) At the end of each investigation of a complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 – 3614a) the division will prepare a final investigative report containing: (A) The names and dates of the contacts with witnesses; (B) A summary and the dates of correspondence and other contacts with the aggrieved person and the respondent; (C) A summary description of other pertinent records; (D) A summary of witness statements; and (E) Answers to interrogatories. (b) A final investigative report under this section may be amended if additional evidence is later discovered. (c) The division will make the final investigative report available, upon request, to both the aggrieved person and the respondent. (4) The division will complete an investigation of any complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 – 3614a) within 100 days after the filing of the complaint, unless it is impracticable to do so. If the division is unable to complete the investigation of the complaint within 100 days after the filing of the complaint the division will notify the aggrieved person and respondent in writing of the reasons for not doing so. (5) The division will make final disposition of any complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 – 3614a) within one year after the filing of the complaint, unless it is impracticable to do so. If the division is unable to make final disposition of the complaint within one year the division will notify the aggrieved person and respondent in writing of the reasons for not doing so. (6) If the division determines that it is impracticable to complete an investigation and make final disposition of any complaint within one year the commissioner’s authority to conduct investigations or other proceedings to resolve a complaint alleging an unlawful practice under ORS 659A.145 or 659A.421 or discrimination under the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 – 3614a) does not cease after the one year period, under ORS 659A.830 (3).
OAR 839 § 839-003-0220 establishes the procedural framework Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) division follows when investigating housing discrimination complaints filed under ORS 659A.820 or 659A.825. The division is generally required to open an investigation within 30 days of a timely complaint, complete that investigation within 100 days, and reach a final disposition within one year—though extensions are permitted when circumstances make those timelines impracticable. Complaints are generally limited to conduct occurring within one year before filing, unless the alleged conduct constitutes a continuing violation or is otherwise connected to timely claims. At the close of each investigation, the division prepares a formal investigative report that both the complainant and the respondent may request.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under OAR 839 § 839-003-0220, a property owner or manager named as a respondent in a housing discrimination complaint can expect the division to begin its investigation within 30 days of the complaint's filing and to aim for completion within 100 days. Operators who receive notice of a complaint generally cooperate with the division's information requests, respond to interrogatories, and maintain records of relevant communications and transactions. If the investigation extends beyond 100 days or one year, the division is required to notify the respondent in writing of the reasons, and the division's authority to continue the proceeding does not automatically expire after one year under ORS 659A.830(3). Respondents may also request a copy of the final investigative report once it is completed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
OAR 839 § 839-003-0220 outlines the rights an aggrieved person has during a housing discrimination investigation conducted by Oregon's division. A person who files a complaint under ORS 659A.820 or 659A.825 can generally expect the division to begin investigating within 30 days and to seek final disposition within one year; if those deadlines cannot be met, the division must provide written notice explaining why. Complaints typically must cover conduct that occurred within one year before filing, though continuing violations or conduct connected to timely allegations may extend that window. Once the investigation concludes, the aggrieved person may request a copy of the final investigative report, and consulting a tenant-rights organization can help in understanding how the process and report may relate to available remedies.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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