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z~ <br />4. The notice will indicate trat the respondent may <br />file an answer not Later than ten days after <br />receipt of the notice. The respondent may assert <br />any defense that might be available to a defendant <br />in a court of law. The answer must be signed, <br />affirmed, attested to or notarized in accordance <br />with the prescribed State or '.oval law. <br />5. An answer may be reasonably an.l fa.rly amended at <br />any time with the consent of tt~e head or official <br />designee of the State or local ~.genc-y. <br />E. The Investi atian Process <br />1. Upon the filing of a complaint, the State or local <br />agency shall initiate an investigation to obtain <br />information concerning the alleged discriminatory <br />housing practice. The factual data must be <br />developed, and the respondent's policies and <br />practices must be documented. Respondents' <br />rebuttal statements of the allegations do not <br />constitute an ir.~restigation and are not to be <br />viewed as such. <br />2. In planning the investigation, the investigator <br />and housing supervisor must determine an a <br />case-by-case basis whether the investigation <br />should be conduc~:r:d on or off-site. <br />(a) Off-site in-~restigations may be considered <br />where: <br />• Complaints do not involve factual <br />disputes; <br />• Evidence as submitted shows a clear cause <br />case; or <br />• Evidence as submitted shows a clear <br />no-cause case. <br />(b) In most ather situations involving <br />investigations of complaints, an on-site visit <br />is the most efficient way to conduct an <br />investigaticr~. <br />3. Beginning with tree filing of a complaint, the <br />agency shall attempt conciliation. <br />4. At the end of each investigation the agency shall <br />prepare a Final Investigative Report. The <br />investigative report shall contain: <br />