D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3531.11
Reimbursement of emergency housing and relocation expenses.
Operative Text
(a) If the Office has provided emergency housing or relocation assistance, as authorized by § 42-3531.07(6A) , the owner shall reimburse the District for the assistance, as described in subsection (b) of this section, and all reasonable administrative and incidental expenses incurred by the District in providing the assistance, if: (1) A closure order requires the housing unit occupied by the tenant to be vacated and closed; and (2) The conditions that created the emergency: (A) Arose from circumstances within the control of the owner, including conditions arising from the failure to perform maintenance on the premises, affirmative acts of the owner, or termination of water service or utility services provided by the owner; (B) Did not arise from an act of God; (C) Arose from the actions of a person within the control of the owner; and (D) Were not caused solely by actions of the tenant. (b) The District may seek reimbursement from an owner for emergency housing and relocation expenses for: (1) The short-term relocation of tenants to hotels, motels, or other appropriate accommodations for a period of up to 180 days; (2) Actual moving costs; (3) The storage of personal property for a period of up to 180 days; (4) Rental application fees, security deposits, and utility deposits; and (5) The first month's rent.
D.C. Code § 42-3531.11 establishes a reimbursement obligation for property owners when the District government has stepped in to provide emergency housing or relocation assistance to displaced tenants. The rule applies when a closure order forces tenants out and the underlying conditions were within the owner's control — such as deferred maintenance, affirmative owner actions, or utility shutoffs — rather than a natural disaster or solely tenant-caused conduct. Covered expenses include short-term hotel stays for up to 180 days, actual moving costs, personal property storage for up to 180 days, rental application and deposit fees, and the first month's rent at a new unit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3531.11, property owners who allow conditions within their control — such as neglected maintenance, utility terminations, or other owner-driven failures — to trigger a closure order may face a financial obligation to repay the District for every category of emergency assistance it provided to displaced tenants. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties proactively, ensure uninterrupted utility services, and address habitability concerns before they escalate to the point where the Office must intervene. Owners should be aware that the District's reimbursement claim can encompass not only direct tenant-assistance costs but also the District's reasonable administrative and incidental expenses.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3531.11 reflects a broader framework in which the District can provide emergency housing and relocation assistance to tenants displaced by closure orders, and then seek to recover those costs from the responsible owner. Tenants who have been displaced due to conditions attributable to their landlord — rather than a natural disaster or their own conduct — may benefit from knowing that this provision exists as part of the District's tenant-protection structure. Tenants in this situation can reach out to the Office referenced in § 42-3531.07 or a local tenant-rights organization to understand what assistance may be available and how the reimbursement process works.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation