---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 3613"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "3613"
heading: "Enforcement by private persons"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/3613"
units:
  - "Chapter 45 — Fair Housing"
  - "Subchapter I — Generally"
---

# §3613. Enforcement by private persons

- (a) **Civil action—**
  - (1)
    - (A) An [aggrieved person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=i) may commence a civil action in an appropriate United States district court or [State](/usc/42/3602.md?p=g) court not later than 2 years after the occurrence or the termination of an alleged [discriminatory housing practice](/usc/42/3602.md?p=f), or the breach of a [conciliation agreement](/usc/42/3602.md?p=m) entered into under this subchapter, whichever occurs last, to obtain appropriate relief with respect to such [discriminatory housing practice](/usc/42/3602.md?p=f) or breach.
    - (B) The computation of such 2-year period shall not include any time during which an administrative proceeding under this subchapter was pending with respect to a complaint or charge under this subchapter based upon such [discriminatory housing practice](/usc/42/3602.md?p=f). This subparagraph does not apply to actions arising from a breach of a [conciliation agreement](/usc/42/3602.md?p=m).
  - (2) An [aggrieved person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=i) may commence a civil action under this subsection whether or not a complaint has been filed under [section 3610(a) of this title](/usc/42/3610.md?p=a) and without regard to the status of any such complaint, but if the [Secretary](/usc/42/3602.md?p=a) or a [State](/usc/42/3602.md?p=g) or local [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) has obtained a [conciliation agreement](/usc/42/3602.md?p=m) with the consent of an [aggrieved person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=i), no action may be filed under this subsection by such [aggrieved person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=i) with respect to the alleged [discriminatory housing practice](/usc/42/3602.md?p=f) which forms the basis for such complaint except for the purpose of enforcing the terms of such an agreement.
  - (3) An [aggrieved person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=i) may not commence a civil action under this subsection with respect to an alleged [discriminatory housing practice](/usc/42/3602.md?p=f) which forms the basis of a charge issued by the [Secretary](/usc/42/3602.md?p=a) if an administrative law judge has commenced a hearing on the record under this subchapter with respect to such charge.
- (b) **Appointment of attorney by court—** Upon application by a [person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=d) alleging a [discriminatory housing practice](/usc/42/3602.md?p=f) or a [person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=d) against whom such a practice is alleged, the court may—
  - (1) appoint an attorney for such [person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=d); or
  - (2) authorize the commencement or continuation of a civil action under [subsection (a)](#a) without the payment of fees, costs, or security, if in the opinion of the court such [person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=d) is financially unable to bear the costs of such action.
- (c) **Relief which may be granted—**
  - (1) In a civil action under [subsection (a)](#a), if the court finds that a [discriminatory housing practice](/usc/42/3602.md?p=f) has occurred or is about to occur, the court may award to the plaintiff actual and punitive damages, and subject to [subsection (d)](#d), may grant as relief, as the court deems appropriate, any permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order (including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging in such practice or ordering such affirmative action as may be appropriate).
  - (2) In a civil action under [subsection (a)](#a), the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee and costs. The United States shall be liable for such fees and costs to the same extent as a private [person](/usc/42/3602.md?p=d).
- (d) **Effect on certain sales, encumbrances, and rentals—** Relief granted under this section shall not affect any contract, sale, encumbrance, or lease consummated before the granting of such relief and involving a bona fide purchaser, encumbrancer, or tenant, without actual notice of the filing of a complaint with the [Secretary](/usc/42/3602.md?p=a) or civil action under this subchapter.
- (e) **Intervention by Attorney General—** Upon timely application, the Attorney General may intervene in such civil action, if the Attorney General certifies that the case is of general public importance. Upon such intervention the Attorney General may obtain such relief as would be available to the Attorney General under [section 3614(e) of this title](/usc/42/3614.md?p=e) in a civil action to which such section applies.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 90–284, title VIII, § 813, as added Pub. L. 100–430, § 8(2), Sept. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 1633.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3613, Pub. L. 90–284, title VIII, § 813, Apr. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 88, related to enforcement by Attorney General by bringing civil action requesting preventive relief, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–430, § 8(2).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective on 180th day beginning after Sept. 13, 1988, see section 13(a) of Pub. L. 100–430, set out as an Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note under section 3601 of this title.