Coronavirus Law bar closings

Guide to DC Emergency Coronavirus Law

Emergency Coronavirus Law for DC Bars and Restaurants (Updated 3/22/20) The COVID-19 emergency has decimated the hospitality industry and the legal situation is fluid. We have put together this legal guide to assist you in identifying appropriate resources. If you own a nightlife establishment, I will be glad to consult with you free of charge. Read more about Guide to DC Emergency Coronavirus Law[…]

Federal Worker Eviction

D.C. Council Stops Evictions for Federal Workers

Emergency Post-Shutdown Eviction Relief for Federal Workers On January 22, the D.C. Council passed emergency legislation to give formerly furloughed federal workers and contractors relief from eviction, late fees and foreclosure sales. The new law allows Judges to stay eviction and foreclosure proceedings against federal workers until thirty (30) days after the government reopens or Read more about D.C. Council Stops Evictions for Federal Workers[…]

AirBnB Law

DC Council approves final version of AirBnB Law

A unanimous Council vote finalizes restrictive short-term rental law In October the Council took a preliminary vote to adopt among the most restrictive short-term housing regulations (AirBnB Law) in the Country. This week the Council passed the final version of the law, with only small changes. The new law will be a potentially huge impediment Read more about DC Council approves final version of AirBnB Law[…]

Security camera law for bars, lounges and nightclubs in DC

Is your establishment breaking the security camera law?

Most D.C. bars, lounges, and clubs are probably breaking this security camera law and they don’t even know it Security camera systems break down, they need to be maintained, upgraded, and eventually replaced. It’s an inevitability. But, did you know, that if your cameras are not working, you are required to inform the ABC Board? Read more about Is your establishment breaking the security camera law?[…]

Emergency law on eviction procedures

Emergency law to implement changes to DC eviction procedures

A couple of months ago, I posted that the U.S. Marshals Service announced changes to DC eviction procedures.[here] Broadly speaking the Marshals decided that they would no longer supervise the removal of tenant belongings from a unit, but merely allow the landlord to execute a lock change at eviction. Oddly, until now, there have been Read more about Emergency law to implement changes to DC eviction procedures[…]

New TOPA Amendment exempts single family homes

DC Council amends TOPA In the midst of the oversight season, the Council pressed forward with its legislative agenda. On March 6, 2018, they passed a somewhat controversial TOPA Amendment, exempting owner-occupied single family homes. TOPA applies to the owners of rental housing accommodations regardless of the number units. Where an owner wants to sell Read more about New TOPA Amendment exempts single family homes[…]

Don’t refuse to rent based on criminal record until your read this

The DC Human Rights Act includes protections for an applicant’s criminal record. One of the things the District has gotten right is establishing, maintaining and expanding one of the most protective Human Rights laws in the nation. I am very proud to live in a place where wrongful discrimination, of any kind, is simply not Read more about Don’t refuse to rent based on criminal record until your read this[…]

TOPA’s Red-Headed Stepchild

In 2008, the Council passed the District Opportunity to Purchase Act (DOPA). As the name suggests, DOPA gives the District the right to purchase residential buildings, in certain circumstances, where the owner seeks to sell to a third party. The 2008 Act left many open questions for the Agency to resolve by promulgating regulations. On Read more about TOPA’s Red-Headed Stepchild[…]