Cal. Civ. Code § 36-96.5
Interference with enjoyment of rights of others under this chapter.
Operative Text
It shall be an unlawful discriminatory housing practice for any person to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his having exercised or enjoyed, or on the account of his having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this chapter.
Virginia Code § 36-96.5 makes it an unlawful discriminatory housing practice to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with anyone who is exercising rights protected under Virginia's fair housing law. The prohibition covers not only direct interference with a person's own rights but also retaliation against someone who helped or encouraged another person to exercise those rights. This rule applies broadly to any person—not just landlords—who engages in such conduct.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Va. Code § 36-96.5, compliant housing operators take care to avoid any conduct that could be construed as coercion, intimidation, or interference directed at residents, applicants, or others who assert fair housing rights. This includes refraining from actions that could be seen as retaliatory toward tenants who have filed complaints, cooperated with investigations, or assisted others in doing so. Operators generally document their business decisions carefully so that adverse actions can be shown to rest on legitimate, non-retaliatory grounds.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Va. Code § 36-96.5 protects tenants not only when they exercise their own fair housing rights but also when they support or encourage others in doing the same. If a tenant believes they have experienced coercion, threats, or interference in connection with asserting those rights, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the Virginia Fair Housing Office or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or raising the violation as a defense in a relevant legal proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations can help explain what conduct may qualify and what documentation is typically useful.
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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