(a) Any aggrieved person may allege that a violation of Section 665.03 has occurred or is about to occur by filing with the Fair Housing Board, within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the alleged violation, a sworn, written complaint setting forth his or her grievance. The complaint shall state the name and address of the aggrieved party (the “complainant”), the name and address of the person(s) alleged to have committed a violation of Section 665.03 (the “respondent”), a description and address of the property involved in the discriminatory incident and the particular facts and other information as may be required by the Board. A complaint may be amended at any time before the hearing is conducted under Section 665.09, and thereafter only with permission of the Fair Housing Board. On the filing of a complaint, the Fair Housing Board shall acknowledge the receipt of the complaint and serve notice to the complainant, which notice shall also contain information as to the time limits, notice of procedural rights and obligations and choice of forum provided in this chapter.
(b) Within ten (10) days after a complaint has been received by the Fair Housing Board, it shall serve or cause to be served, in person or by certified mail, a copy of the complaint on the respondent alleged to have committed a violation of Section 665.03. Along with the service of the complaint, the Fair Housing Board shall advise the respondent, in writing, of his or her procedural rights and obligations under this chapter. The respondent may file a written verified answer to the complaint with the Fair Housing Board within ten (10) days after receipt of notice of the complaint, and thereafter only with permission of the Fair Housing Board.
(c) Within ten (10) days after identification of an additional respondent under this section, the Fair Housing Board shall serve a notice identifying the alleged discriminatory housing practice and advising the additional respondent of the procedural rights and obligations of respondents under this section, and a copy of the original complaint.
(Ord. No. 295-08. Passed 4-7-08, eff. 4-14-08)