Who to contact depends on what the problem is
The agency you report to depends on what your landlord is doing wrong. If the building has code violations or safety hazards, you contact your local housing inspector or code enforcement office. If your landlord is retaliating against you for complaining, you report to your state's attorney general or housing authority. If rent is being illegally raised or your lease is being violated, you may report to your state's housing department or file in small claims court. If your landlord is discriminating based on race, religion, disability, or other protected status, you report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or your state's civil rights office.
Most cities and counties have a single phone number or online portal where housing complaints start. That office then routes your complaint to the right department. Starting there saves you time and ensures your complaint reaches the right people.
Key Takeaways
- Your city or county housing inspector handles complaints about unsafe conditions, broken utilities, pest infestations, and code violations.
- Your state's attorney general or housing authority handles illegal rent increases, lease violations, and retaliation for complaining.
- HUD or your state's civil rights office handles discrimination based on protected characteristics like race, disability, or family status.
- Most cities have a single complaint line or website where you can report any housing problem and get routed to the right agency.
- Document the problem with photos, dates, and written communication with your landlord before you report, because agencies will ask for proof.
Local housing inspectors and code enforcement
Your city or county housing inspector is the first stop for unsafe or uninhabitable conditions. This includes broken heat, no hot water, mold, pest infestations, broken windows, exposed wiring, or anything that violates the local building code. The inspector will visit the unit, document violations, and order the landlord to fix them by a important date. If the landlord does not comply, the city can issue fines or take further action.
To find your local housing inspector, search "[your city] housing code enforcement" or "[your county] building department." Many cities let you file complaints online. Have your address, lease, and photos of the problem ready. The inspector will usually contact you to schedule an inspection, though some jurisdictions allow anonymous complaints.
If the landlord retaliates after you report — by raising rent, threatening eviction, or cutting services — document that separately and report the retaliation to your state housing authority or attorney general, because retaliation is illegal in most states.
State housing authorities and attorneys general
Your state's housing authority or attorney general handles complaints about illegal rent increases, lease violations, and retaliation. Each state has different rules about how much rent can be raised, when it can be raised, and how much notice the landlord must give. If your landlord is breaking those rules, your state housing department is the right place to report.
Retaliation is illegal in most states. If you complained to the housing inspector, reported a code violation, or asked for repairs in writing, and your landlord then raised your rent, threatened eviction, or reduced services, that is retaliation. Report it to your state's attorney general or housing authority with copies of your complaint and the landlord's response.
To find your state housing authority, search "[your state] housing authority" or "[your state] attorney general housing complaints." Many states have a dedicated hotline or online complaint form. Have your lease, rent payment records, and copies of any written communication with your landlord ready.
HUD and state civil rights offices for discrimination
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) handles complaints about housing discrimination. This includes refusing to rent to you, charging you more, or providing different services based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or family status. Your state's civil rights office handles the same complaints under state law.
You can file a complaint with HUD online at hud.gov or by calling 1-800-669-9777. You can also file with your state's civil rights office — search "[your state] civil rights office housing discrimination." You have one year from the date of the discrimination to file with HUD, though some states have longer important date.
HUD will investigate your complaint and try to reach a settlement with the landlord. If that fails, HUD can file a lawsuit on your behalf. You do not need a lawyer to file a complaint with HUD, and you do not pay a fee.
Small claims court for money damages
If your landlord owes you money — for example, they did not return your security deposit, or they charged you for repairs that were their responsibility — you can sue in small claims court. Small claims court handles disputes up to a certain dollar amount, which varies by state but is usually between $5,000 and $10,000.
To file in small claims court, go to your county courthouse or file online through your state's court system. You will need your lease, proof of payment, photos of damage, and any written communication with your landlord. The filing fee is usually $50 to $200, depending on the amount you are suing for. You do not need a lawyer, and the process usually takes two to four months.
Small claims court does not handle evictions or criminal matters. If your landlord is trying to evict you illegally, you need a different court. If your landlord is breaking the law — for example, by operating an illegal unit or discriminating — you report to the agencies listed above instead.
Tenant unions and legal aid organizations
Many cities have tenant unions or tenant rights organizations that can help you understand your rights and guide you through the complaint process. These groups often know which agencies are responsive and which complaints tend to get results in your area. Some offer free legal information or can connect you with a lawyer.
To find a tenant organization in your area, search "[your city] tenant union" or "[your city] tenant rights." Legal aid organizations offer free legal help to people who cannot afford a lawyer. To find legal aid in your state, go to lawhelp.org or call 211.
Tenant organizations and legal aid can also help you understand retaliation laws in your state, prepare documentation for an inspection, or decide whether small claims court is worth your time. They cannot file complaints on your behalf, but they can tell you exactly what to do and what to expect.
What to document before you report
Agencies will ask for proof of the problem. Take photos or video of the issue — broken fixtures, mold, pests, water damage, anything visible. Write down the date you first noticed the problem and the date you reported it to your landlord. Keep copies of any text messages, emails, or letters you sent to the landlord asking for repairs.
If you reported the problem to your landlord in person, write down the date, time, and what you said. If your landlord responded, keep that response. If they ignored you, that matters too — document how long you waited before reporting to the agency.
For discrimination or retaliation complaints, the timeline is especially important. Write down the date of the original complaint, the date of the landlord's response, and the exact date the retaliation occurred. If the landlord raised your rent or threatened eviction within a few months of your complaint, that pattern strengthens your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord evict me for reporting them?
No. Retaliation is illegal in most states. If you report a code violation, ask for repairs in writing, or file a complaint with a government agency, your landlord cannot raise your rent, threaten eviction, or reduce services in response. If they do, report the retaliation to your state housing authority or attorney general with copies of your original complaint and the landlord's response.
What happens after I file a complaint?
The agency will contact you to confirm the complaint and may schedule an inspection. If the complaint is about code violations, an inspector will visit the unit and document what they find. The landlord will be ordered to fix violations by a important date. If they do not comply, the agency can issue fines or take further action. The process usually takes four to eight weeks.
Do I have to give my name when I report?
Most agencies allow anonymous complaints, but they work better if you provide your contact information. The agency may need to reach you for details or to schedule an inspection. If you are worried about retaliation, tell the agency and ask them to keep your identity confidential during the inspection if possible.
What if the landlord says the problem is my fault?
The inspector will determine who is responsible. Normal wear and tear, code violations, and structural problems are the landlord's responsibility. Damage you caused intentionally or through misuse is yours. The inspector will look at the condition of the unit, how long the problem has existed, and whether it is a known issue in the building. If multiple units have the same problem, that suggests it is the landlord's responsibility.
Can I report anonymously to HUD?
HUD prefers your contact information so they can follow up with you, but you can file a complaint without identifying yourself. However, HUD may not be able to reach you for details or to tell you the outcome. If you are concerned about retaliation, provide your information but ask HUD to keep your identity confidential during the investigation.