For years landlords and tenants alike have complained that the DC eviction procedures are unfair. Landlords complain that the process is inefficient and slow, as a result, it takes too long to regain possession of the rental unit after an eviction order. Tenants have decried the process as inhumane and resulting in damage, destruction, and theft of personal belongings.
The DC Rent Contol Law is actually a convoluted stew of esoteric code and regulation sections. If you are burdened by logic and reason, you have little hope of understanding this flaming trash heap of a statutory scheme. However, for all of its shortcomings, it is actually clear on one point. IF a landlord is eligible for a Rent Control exemption, he or she MUST, file the exemption AND serve the affected tenants SIMULTANEOUSLY with the filing. If the landlord fails to do this, the exemption is VOID. 14 DCMR § 4101.6; Levy v. District of Columbia Rental Housing Commission 126 A.3d 684 (D.C. 2015)
In a regulatory environment perfect for owners, there would be no such thing as an ABC Settlement Agreement. But, the regulatory environment isn’t perfect. The government has always allowed the public to ‘weigh-in’ on how a new liquor license or change to an existing license might affect the neighborhood.
This month I wrote two posts about specific types of violations that cause DC Bar owners fits: sale to minors and investigation interference. Learn the anatomy of these issues, what you can do to avoid them, and how to mitigate losses. Additionally, there are a number of reminders and upcoming programs to help you stay on top of your compliance obligations.
There were several significant happenings this month in the world of D.C. Real Estate. Right off the bat on March 1, the Court of Appeals came down with a ruling that impacts the priority of condominium liens. (details below) Not to be outdone by the Courts, the Council amended TOPA to exempt single family accommodations and is considering a rollback of the much-decried bankruptcy exception. Additionally, there are a number of upcoming programs and events to help you stay on top of the changes.