D.C. Code tit. 2, ch. 14 § 2-1403.13
Decision and order.
Operative Text
(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, if, at the conclusion of the hearing, the Commission determines that a respondent has engaged in an unlawful discriminatory practice or has otherwise violated the provisions of this chapter, the Commission shall issue, and cause to be served upon all the parties, a decision and order, accompanied by findings of fact and conclusions of law, requiring the respondent to cease and desist from such unlawful discriminatory practice, and to take such affirmative action, including but not limited to: (A) The hiring, reinstatement or upgrading of employees, with or without back pay; (B) The restoration to the membership in any respondent labor organization, admission to or participation in a program, apprenticeship training program, on-the-job training program or other occupational training or retraining program; (C) The extension of full, equal and unsegregated accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges to all persons; (D) The payment of compensatory damages to the person aggrieved by such practice; (E) The payment of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs; (E-i) The payment of civil penalties, which shall be deposited in the General Fund, according to the following schedule: (i) In an amount not to exceed $10,000 if the respondent has not been adjudged to have committed any prior unlawful discriminatory practice; (ii) In an amount not to exceed $25,000 if the respondent has been adjudged to have committed 1 other unlawful discriminatory practice during the 5-year period ending on the date of the filing of this charge; and (iii) In an amount not to exceed $50,000 if the respondent has been adjudged to have committed 2 or more unlawful discriminatory practices during the 7-year period ending on the date of the filing of this charge; and (F) The payment of hearing costs, as, in the judgment of the Commission, will effectuate the purposes of this chapter, and including a requirement for a report as to the manner of compliance with such decision and order. (2) With regard to compensatory damages, civil penalties, and attorneys' fees and costs, the Commission shall develop guidelines which shall be submitted to the Council for review prior to implementation. (3) If, at the conclusion of the hearing, the Commission determines that a respondent has engaged in an unlawful discriminatory practice based on the credit information of an individual in violation of § 2-1402.11 (a) or (b), the Commission shall issue, and cause to be served upon all the parties, a decision and order, accompanied by findings of fact and conclusions of law, requiring the respondent to cease and desist from the unlawful discriminatory practice, and providing for the payment to the complainant of a fine of $1,000 for the first violation, $2,500 for the 2nd violation, and $5,000 for each subsequent violation. (b) If, upon all the evidence, the Commission finds that a respondent has not engaged in any unlawful discriminatory practice, the Commission shall issue and cause to be served on all the parties, an order dismissing the complaint as to such respondent. (c) Whenever a case has been heard by 1 or more hearing examiners who do not have the power to render a final order or decision, the Commissioners, assigned to decide the case, shall serve upon the parties a proposed order or decision, including findings of fact and conclusions of law, with a notice providing that each party adversely affected may file exceptions and present arguments to the Commissioners, on a date not less than 10 days from the date of service of the proposed order or decision. (d) Findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be supported by, and in accordance with, reliable, probative, and substantial evidence.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.13 establishes what the D.C. Office of Human Rights Commission must do when it concludes a hearing on a discrimination complaint. If the Commission finds a violation, it issues a formal decision and order requiring the respondent to stop the discriminatory conduct and take corrective steps, which can include paying compensatory damages, attorneys' fees, hearing costs, and civil penalties on a sliding scale up to $50,000 depending on the respondent's prior violation history. If no violation is found, the Commission issues an order dismissing the complaint; in either case, the decision must be grounded in reliable and substantial evidence.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.13, property owners and managers who are found to have engaged in unlawful discriminatory practices face Commission orders that can require them to cease the offending conduct, pay compensatory damages to affected parties, cover attorneys' fees and hearing costs, and pay civil penalties ranging up to $10,000 for a first finding, $25,000 for a second within five years, and $50,000 for two or more within seven years. Operators who discriminate based on a prospective or current tenant's credit information face a separate, fixed fine schedule starting at $1,000 for a first offense. Compliant operators generally maintain documented, consistently applied tenant-screening and accommodation policies that conform to the D.C. Human Rights Act to avoid exposure to these remedies.
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. § 2-1403.13 gives the D.C. Office of Human Rights Commission authority to order meaningful relief for tenants who have experienced housing discrimination, including requiring a landlord to stop the discriminatory practice, pay compensatory damages, and cover attorneys' fees and costs. Tenants who believe they have been discriminated against based on credit information may be entitled to fixed fines against the respondent of $1,000 for a first violation, rising to $5,000 for subsequent violations. Tenants can explore filing a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights or consulting a tenant-rights organization to understand the process and what remedies may be available under this provision.
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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