Cal. Civ. Code § 36-96.10
Procedures for investigation.
Operative Text
A. The Board shall commence proceedings with respect to a complaint within thirty days after receipt of the complaint, and shall complete the investigation within 100 days thereof unless it is impracticable to do so. If the Board is unable to complete the investigation within 100 days after the receipt of the complaint, the aggrieved person and the respondent shall be notified in writing of the reasons for not doing so. B. When conducting an investigation of a complaint filed under this chapter, the Board shall have the right to interview any person who may have any information which may further its investigation and to request production of any records or documents for inspection and copying in the possession of any person which may further the investigation. Such persons shall be interviewed under oath. The Board or its designated subordinates shall have the power to issue and serve a subpoena to any such person to appear and testify and to produce any such records or documents for inspection and copying. Said subpoenas and discovery may be ordered to the same extent and subject to the same limitations as would apply if the subpoenas or discovery were ordered or served as part of a civil action in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In case of refusal or neglect to obey a subpoena, the Board may petition for its enforcement in the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond. The hearing on such petition shall be given priority on the court docket over all cases which are not otherwise given priority on the court docket by law. C. At the end of each investigation under this section, the Board shall prepare a final investigative report containing: 1. The names and dates of contacts with witnesses; 2. A summary and the dates of correspondence and other contacts with the aggrieved person and the respondent; 3. A summary description of other pertinent records; 4. A summary of witness statements; and 5. Answers to interrogatories. A final report under this subsection may be amended if additional evidence is later discovered. D. The Board shall make available to the aggrieved person and the respondent, at any time, upon request following completion of the Board's investigation, information derived from an investigation and any final investigative report relating to that investigation.
Virginia Code § 36-96.10 establishes the procedural framework the Virginia Fair Housing Board must follow when investigating housing discrimination complaints. The Board is required to open proceedings within 30 days of receiving a complaint and to finish its investigation within 100 days, notifying both parties in writing if that deadline cannot be met. The Board holds broad investigative powers, including the authority to interview witnesses under oath, request documents, and issue subpoenas enforceable in the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond. At the conclusion of an investigation, the Board must prepare a formal investigative report and make it available to both the complainant and the respondent upon request.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Va. Code § 36-96.10, property owners and managers named as respondents in a fair housing complaint should be aware that the Virginia Fair Housing Board operates on a defined timeline, typically completing investigations within 100 days of the complaint's receipt. Compliant operators generally cooperate with Board requests for interviews, records, and documents, understanding that the Board has subpoena power to compel participation if necessary. Respondents are entitled to receive the final investigative report upon request after the investigation concludes, which can inform how they understand the Board's findings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Va. Code § 36-96.10 gives complainants—referred to as "aggrieved persons"—the right to be notified in writing if the Board cannot complete its investigation within the standard 100-day window. Once the investigation is finished, a complainant may request access to the final investigative report and any information gathered during the process. Tenants who have filed a fair housing complaint and want to understand their procedural rights under this provision may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Virginia fair housing law.
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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