D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3306
Findings required prior to termination of service.
Operative Text
(a) It shall be unlawful for any electric company, electricity supplier, gas company, or natural gas supplier to terminate service at the request of the owner, agent, lessor, or manager of an apartment house subject to this chapter, unless the Public Service Commission first makes a finding that all units within the apartment house are not lawfully occupied, or the Public Service Commission finds that services provided by such company shall be provided by other means. (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve any owner, agent, lessor, or manager of an apartment house from liability under a contract for the provision of services with an electric company, electricity supplier, gas company, or natural gas supplier until such time as the Public Service Commission makes its findings as required by subsection (a) of this section.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3301 et seq. § 42-3306, electric and gas utilities serving apartment buildings covered by this chapter are prohibited from cutting off service at an owner's or manager's request unless the District's Public Service Commission first determines that no units in the building are lawfully occupied, or that alternative service arrangements have been approved. Until the Commission makes such a finding, the owner or manager remains contractually liable to the utility for continued service. This provision is designed to prevent landlords from using utility shutoffs as a tool to displace tenants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to D.C. Code § 42-3301 et seq. § 42-3306 should be aware that requesting a utility shutoff for an entire apartment building is not a straightforward process — it requires a prior Public Service Commission finding that no units are lawfully occupied or that alternative service is in place. Compliant operators generally maintain their utility contracts and continue service obligations until the Commission issues the required determination. Attempting to terminate utility service without that finding exposes an owner to ongoing contractual liability with the utility provider.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3301 et seq. § 42-3306 provides tenants in covered apartment buildings with a meaningful protection: utilities cannot be shut off at a landlord's request unless the Public Service Commission has first made specific findings about occupancy or alternative service. If a tenant believes a landlord is attempting to terminate utility service without that Commission finding, they may consider contacting the Public Service Commission directly or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization familiar with District housing law. Tenants can also raise a violation of this provision as a defense or basis for complaint in relevant administrative or legal proceedings.
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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