D.C. Code tit. 2, ch. 14 § 2-1403.08
Posting of notice of complaint in housing accommodation.
Operative Text
If a finding of probable cause has been made, as to a complaint of discrimination in housing, and the property owner, or his duly authorized agent, will not agree voluntarily to withhold from the market the subject housing accommodations for a period of 10 days from the date of such finding of probable cause, the Office may cause to be posted on the door of said housing accommodations for a period of 10 days from the date of said finding a notice advising that said accommodations are the subject of a complaint before the Office and that prospective transferees will take such housing accommodations at their peril. Any destruction, defacement, alteration or removal of the notice thereof, by the owner or his agents, servants and employees, shall be punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of up to $300, or by imprisonment for not more than 10 days, or both.
Under D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.08, once a probable-cause finding has been made on a housing discrimination complaint, the Office of Human Rights may post a notice on the door of the affected housing unit for up to 10 days if the property owner refuses to voluntarily hold the unit off the market during that period. The notice warns prospective buyers or renters that the property is the subject of an active discrimination complaint. Tampering with that notice — whether by destroying, defacing, altering, or removing it — is a criminal offense carrying a fine of up to $300, imprisonment of up to 10 days, or both.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.08, a compliant property owner who receives a probable-cause finding on a housing discrimination complaint generally agrees to voluntarily hold the affected unit off the market for 10 days, which avoids the Office posting a public notice on the property door. Operators who do not agree to that voluntary hold should be aware that any interference with a posted notice by the owner, agents, employees, or servants constitutes a criminal violation. Property managers typically ensure that all staff understand that a posted Office notice must remain undisturbed for the full 10-day period.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.08 provides a protective mechanism for people who have filed a housing discrimination complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights: once probable cause is found, the Office can post a public warning on the unit's door to alert anyone who might otherwise acquire the property during the complaint process. If a tenant or complainant observes that such a notice has been removed, defaced, or altered by the owner or their agents, that act is itself a punishable offense, and reporting it to the Office of Human Rights is one available path. Tenant-rights organizations in the District can help individuals understand how this provision interacts with an ongoing complaint.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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