An appraiser notified of a fair housing complaint, not covered by E&O, should:

• A. Ignore the complaint
• B. Argue the case without counsel
• C. Immediately resign from practice
• D. Engage an attorney and follow their advice

Answer: (D)

Immediate legal guidance is essential when a fair housing complaint arises, especially if the claim isn’t covered by E&O insurance. Engaging an attorney and following their advice is the safest path because a lawyer can explain your rights, meet all deadlines, preserve and organize evidence, and guide how to respond to HUD or state agencies in a compliant and strategic way. They can also assess potential exposure, help with risk management, and outline whether settlement or defense is appropriate. Ignoring the complaint, arguing without counsel, or resigning from practice do not address the legal risk and can worsen exposure or harm your professional standing.