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How to file a complaint against a landlord / housing

Repairs ignored, deposit withheld, illegal entry, eviction, or housing discrimination. Here is exactly which regulator has jurisdiction, where to file, and what to say.

The right regulator(s), in order

federal

HUD — Fair Housing (FHEO)

File within 1 year of the discriminatory act.
Open the complaint portal →
  • Your full name, address, phone and email
  • The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about
  • What protected class you believe motivated it (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status)
  • The dates of what happened (in order)
  • Copies of contracts, statements, photos, emails, and letters (keep originals)
  • Names of any witnesses
state

Your State Attorney General (consumer protection)

Most states have a Fair Housing or civil-rights agency that enforces in parallel with HUD.
Open the complaint portal →
State/local office — opens the official directory; pick your state, then your office. (Verify the link is current.)
  • Your full name, address, phone and email
  • The exact legal name and address of the business/agency you are complaining about
  • The dates of what happened (in order)
  • Copies of contracts, statements, photos, emails, and letters (keep originals)
  • The specific outcome you are asking for
  • Any prior attempts you made to resolve it directly
Small-claims is often the fastest path to recover a withheld deposit or repair cost. Open →

What to include in your complaint

Draft my complaint now →

FAQ

Does filing a complaint get me my money back?
A regulator complaint pressures the company to fix it and creates an enforcement record, but it does not award you damages. For a specific dollar amount, small-claims court is usually faster. For injury or large losses, talk to an attorney.
Will they know I complained?
Most consumer complaints are shared with the company so it can respond. Some (e.g., OSHA, wage) let you stay confidential — we note that on each agency.
How long does it take?
Many agencies require the company to respond within 15–60 days. Keep your case number and the dates.
Complaint-routing & drafting information — not legal advice or representation. This is a self-help tool that points you to the regulator with jurisdiction and drafts a complaint for you to review and file. It is not a law firm, and using it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Which agency applies can depend on facts we don't see (the company's charter, your state, the exact conduct). Government portal links — especially state-level ones — can change; we show the official directory as a fallback and the date each was checked (2026-06-25). Some situations are legal claims for money or injury, not regulator complaints — we flag those and you should consult a licensed attorney in your state.