Cal. Civ. Code § 36-96.11
Reasonable cause determination and effect.
Operative Text
The Board shall, within 100 days after the filing of a complaint, determine, based on the facts and after consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, whether reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, unless it is impracticable to do so or unless the Board has approved a conciliation agreement with respect to the complaint. If the Board is unable to determine whether reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur within 100 days after receipt of the complaint, the aggrieved person and the respondent shall be notified in writing of the reasons therefor.
Virginia Code § 36-96.11 establishes a timeline and process by which the Virginia Real Estate Board must evaluate fair housing complaints. Within 100 days of a complaint being filed, the Board—after consulting with the Office of the Attorney General—must decide whether there is reasonable cause to believe a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur. If the Board cannot meet that 100-day deadline, it is required to notify both the person who filed the complaint and the person or entity named in the complaint, in writing, explaining why the determination could not be made on time. This timeline requirement does not apply if the matter is resolved through a conciliation agreement approved by the Board.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Va. Code § 36-96.11, when a fair housing complaint is filed naming a property owner or manager as a respondent, the Board has up to 100 days to determine whether reasonable cause exists to believe a discriminatory housing practice occurred. Compliant operators generally cooperate with the Board's inquiry during this review period and remain attentive to any written communications from the Board, particularly if the 100-day window cannot be met and a written explanation is issued. Operators who reach a conciliation agreement with the Board may resolve the matter before a formal reasonable cause determination is made.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Va. Code § 36-96.11 gives individuals who file fair housing complaints—known as aggrieved persons—the right to expect a timely response from the Board, which must generally issue a reasonable cause determination within 100 days of the complaint being filed. If the Board cannot meet that deadline, it must notify the complainant in writing with an explanation of the delay. Tenants who believe a discriminatory housing practice has occurred may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how the reasonable cause determination process under § 36-96.11 fits into the broader fair housing complaint process.
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.
Effective Timeline
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