What legal recourse is available to tenants who have been discriminated against in violation of Fair Housing Law?

In Virginia, tenants who have been discriminated against in violation of Fair Housing Laws have a few different legal options available to them. The first option is to file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD is responsible for enforcing the Fair Housing Act and can investigate any housing discrimination accusations. If HUD determines that a violation of Fair Housing Law has occurred, they can order a variety of remedies, including the payment of damages, a cease and desist order on the discriminatory behavior, and a mandate to take steps to prevent future discrimination. The second legal recourse available to tenants is to file a lawsuit in state or federal court. Tenants can seek compensatory damages for any harm or damages suffered due to the discriminatory act, as well as punitive damages. Last, tenants can also file a complaint with the Virginia Human Rights Act. This law prohibits any discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, sex, or marital status. It also makes it illegal to retaliate against any person for opposing any discriminatory housing practices. The Virginia Human Rights Act allows the person who has been discriminated against to obtain compensatory damages, reasonable attorney’s fees, and other remedies. Overall, tenants in Virginia have several legal avenues available to them if they have been discriminated against in violation of Fair Housing Laws. It is important to remember that time is of the essence, as most of these options have specific timelines. Therefore, it is important to seek legal advice immediately if one feels they have been discriminated against.

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What legal recourse is available to tenants who have been discriminated against in violation of Fair Housing Law?

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