{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/36-96.5.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/36-96.5.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/36-96.5.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/36-96.5.html"}],"law_id":360861,"edition_id":2,"section_id":360861,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.5","catch_line":"Interference with enjoyment of rights of others under this chapter","history":"1972, c. 591, \u00a7 36-93; 1973, c. 358; 1991, c. 557.","full_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.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1342833,"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.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":51607,"edition_id":2,"name":"Virginia Fair Housing Law","identifier":"5.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":5,"parent_id":51572,"metadata":{"child_laws":26,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:44:51","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:32:43","permalink":{"id":1436183,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51607,"identifier":"5.1","token":"36\/5.1","url":"\/36\/5.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51572,"edition_id":2,"name":"Housing","identifier":"36","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":83,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":336,"child_structures":35},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:44:20","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:32:40","permalink":{"id":1435259,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51572,"identifier":"36","token":"36","url":"\/36\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":360840,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.1","catch_line":"Declaration of policy","url":"\/36-96.1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1","metadata":false},{"id":360841,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.10","catch_line":"Procedures for investigation","url":"\/36-96.10\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.10","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360842,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.11","catch_line":"Reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.11\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.11","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360843,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.12","catch_line":"No reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.12\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.12","metadata":false},{"id":360844,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.13","catch_line":"Conciliation","url":"\/36-96.13\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.13","metadata":false},{"id":360845,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.14","catch_line":"Issuance of a charge","url":"\/36-96.14\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.14","metadata":false},{"id":360846,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.15","catch_line":"Prompt judicial action","url":"\/36-96.15\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.15","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360847,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.16","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General upon referral of charge by the Real Estate Board","url":"\/36-96.16\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.16","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Fishel v. Windsor Plaza Condo. Ass'n","case_number":"131817","citation":null,"date":"2014-12-31","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2765875\/fishel-v-windsor-plaza-condo-assn\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT:   All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"REVI, LLC v. Chicago Title Insurance Co.","case_number":"Record 141562.","citation":"776 S.E.2d 808","date":"2015-09-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2959680\/revi-llc-v-chicago-title-insurance-co\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Justice KELSEY, dissenting. .\u202f.\u202f. 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The City of Waynesboro, Virginia","case_number":"1310253","citation":null,"date":"2026-03-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/10809718\/michael-w-martin-v-the-city-of-waynesboro-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"REVI, LLC v. Chicago Title Insurance Co.","case_number":"Record 141562.","citation":"776 S.E.2d 808","date":"2015-09-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2959680\/revi-llc-v-chicago-title-insurance-co\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Justice KELSEY, dissenting. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"Matarese v. ARCHSTONE PENTAGON CITY","case_number":"1:09-mj-00857","citation":"795 F. 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Virginia"}}}},{"id":360849,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.18","catch_line":"Civil action; enforcement by private parties","url":"\/36-96.18\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.18","metadata":false},{"id":360850,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.19","catch_line":"Witness fees","url":"\/36-96.19\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.19","metadata":false},{"id":360851,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.1:1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/36-96.1_1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":360852,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.2","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/36-96.2\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.2","metadata":false},{"id":360853,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.20","catch_line":"Additional powers of the Real Estate Board; action on real estate licenses","url":"\/36-96.20\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.20","metadata":false},{"id":360854,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.21","catch_line":"Powers of counties, cities and towns","url":"\/36-96.21\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.21","metadata":false},{"id":360855,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.22","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/36-96.22\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.22","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360856,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.23","catch_line":"Construction of law","url":"\/36-96.23\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.23","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Nationwide Mutual Insurance v. Housing Opportunities Made .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"Record No. 990733","citation":"259 Va. 8","date":"2000-01-14","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/6931119\/nationwide-mutual-insurance-v-housing-opportunities-made-equal-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. CHIEF JUSTICE CARRICO .\u202f.\u202f. 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Archstone Pentagon City","case_number":"1:09-mj-00857","citation":"761 F. Supp. 2d 346","date":"2011-01-05","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2472222\/matarese-v-archstone-pentagon-city\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 761 F.Supp.2d 346 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"1":{"name":"Matarese v. ARCHSTONE PENTAGON CITY","case_number":"1:09-mj-00857","citation":"795 F. Supp. 2d 402","date":"2011-05-31","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2116742\/matarese-v-archstone-pentagon-city\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 795 F.Supp.2d 402 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"2":{"name":"People Helpers Foundation, Inc. v. City of Richmond","case_number":"91-682","citation":"781 F. Supp. 1132","date":"1992-01-16","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1411390\/people-helpers-foundation-inc-v-city-of-richmond\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 781 F.Supp. 1132 (1992) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"3":{"name":"People Helpers, Inc. v. City of Richmond","case_number":"91-682","citation":"789 F. Supp. 725","date":"1992-04-13","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1641327\/people-helpers-inc-v-city-of-richmond\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 789 F.Supp. 725 (1992) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"4":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Nationwide Mutual Insurance v. Housing Opportunities Made .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"Record No. 990733","citation":"259 Va. 8","date":"2000-01-14","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/6931119\/nationwide-mutual-insurance-v-housing-opportunities-made-equal-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. JUSTICE HASSELL, .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":360862,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.6","catch_line":"Certain restrictive covenants void; instruments containing such covenants","url":"\/36-96.6\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.6","metadata":false},{"id":360863,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.7","catch_line":"Familial status protection not applicable to housing for older persons","url":"\/36-96.7\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.7","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360864,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.8","catch_line":"Powers of Real Estate Board and Fair Housing Board","url":"\/36-96.8\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.8","metadata":false},{"id":360865,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.9","catch_line":"Procedures for receipt or initiation of complaint; notice to parties; filing of answer","url":"\/36-96.9\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.9","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}}],"previous_section":{"id":360860,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.4","catch_line":"Discrimination in residential real estate-related transactions; unlawful practices by lenders, insurers, appraisers, etc.; deposit of state funds in such institutions","url":"\/36-96.4\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.4","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":360862,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.6","catch_line":"Certain restrictive covenants void; instruments containing such covenants","url":"\/36-96.6\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.6","metadata":false},"metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Matarese v. Archstone Pentagon City","case_number":"1:09-mj-00857","citation":"761 F. Supp. 2d 346","date":"2011-01-05","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2472222\/matarese-v-archstone-pentagon-city\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 761 F.Supp.2d 346 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"1":{"name":"Matarese v. ARCHSTONE PENTAGON CITY","case_number":"1:09-mj-00857","citation":"795 F. Supp. 2d 402","date":"2011-05-31","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2116742\/matarese-v-archstone-pentagon-city\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 795 F.Supp.2d 402 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"2":{"name":"People Helpers Foundation, Inc. v. City of Richmond","case_number":"91-682","citation":"781 F. Supp. 1132","date":"1992-01-16","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1411390\/people-helpers-foundation-inc-v-city-of-richmond\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 781 F.Supp. 1132 (1992) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"3":{"name":"People Helpers, Inc. v. City of Richmond","case_number":"91-682","citation":"789 F. Supp. 725","date":"1992-04-13","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1641327\/people-helpers-inc-v-city-of-richmond\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 789 F.Supp. 725 (1992) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"4":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Nationwide Mutual Insurance v. Housing Opportunities Made .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"Record No. 990733","citation":"259 Va. 8","date":"2000-01-14","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/6931119\/nationwide-mutual-insurance-v-housing-opportunities-made-equal-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. JUSTICE HASSELL, .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}},"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/36-96.5\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1972. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 591 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1972 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1973, chapter 358; in 1991, chapter 557.<\/p>","references":[{"id":360851,"section_number":"36-96.1:1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.1_1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1436269,"object_type":"law","relational_id":360861,"identifier":"36-96.5","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.5","url":"\/36-96.5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/36-96.5\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.5","dublin_core":{"Title":"Interference with enjoyment of rights of others under this chapter","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 36-96.5","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>It shall be an unlawful discriminatory housing practice for any <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> 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 <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this chapter.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINTERFERENCE WITH ENJOYMENT OF RIGHTS OF OTHERS UNDER THIS CHAPTER (\u00a7 36-96.5)\n\nIt shall be an unlawful discriminatory housing practice for any person to\ncoerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or\nenjoyment of, or on account of his having exercised or enjoyed, or on the\naccount of his having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or\nenjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this chapter.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 591, \u00a7 36-93; 1973, c. 358; 1991, c. 557.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}