D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3222
Lease under control of a person with a mental disability — Surrender and renewal; guardian or committee; court order.
Operative Text
In all cases where any person with a mental disability is or shall be entitled or has right to renew any lease or leases made or granted, or to be made or granted, for the life or lives of 1 or more person or persons, or for any term or number of years, absolute or determinable on the death of 1 or more person or persons, or otherwise; it shall and may be lawful to and for the person with a mental disability, or his or her guardian or guardians, committee or committees, of his estate, in his, her, or their name or names, by the direction of the chancellor, signified by an order made on hearing all parties concerned, upon petition, in a summary way, from time to time, to accept of a surrender or surrenders of such lease or leases; and to make and execute to any person or persons, bodies politic, or corporate or collegiate, aggregate or sole, a new lease or leases of the premises comprised in such lease or leases so to be surrendered by virtue of this section, for and during such number of lives, or for such term or terms of years, determinable upon such number of lives, or for such term or terms of years absolute, as was or were mentioned or contained in such lease or leases so surrendered, at the making thereof, or otherwise, as the chancellor for the time being, by any such order, so to be obtained as aforesaid, shall direct.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3222, when a person with a mental disability holds a lease — whether for a term of years or tied to one or more lives — the law provides a mechanism for that lease to be surrendered and a new lease executed in its place. The process requires court direction, typically obtained through a petition heard by the chancellor with all interested parties present. The new lease issued under this provision must carry terms (such as duration or life contingencies) consistent with those in the surrendered lease, or as otherwise directed by the court.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers dealing with a lease held by a person with a mental disability should be aware that D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3222 establishes a court-supervised process for surrendering and renewing such leases. A compliant operator generally works with the tenant's guardian or committee and awaits a court order before accepting a surrender or executing a replacement lease. Maintaining documentation of the court's direction and ensuring the new lease terms align with what the court has authorized are practices consistent with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3222 provides protections for tenants with mental disabilities who hold renewable or life-contingent leases, ensuring that any surrender or renewal of such a lease occurs only under court supervision. A guardian or committee acting on behalf of a tenant with a mental disability may petition the court to facilitate this process, with all concerned parties given the opportunity to be heard. Tenants or their representatives who have questions about how this provision applies to a particular lease situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with D.C. housing law.
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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