D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3541.05
Penalties.
Operative Text
(a) If the Office of Human Rights determines that there is probable cause to believe that a violation of this chapter has occurred, the Office of Human Rights shall certify the complaint to the Commission on Human Rights, who may impose the following penalties, of which half shall be awarded to the complainant and half shall be awarded to the District of Columbia and deposited into the General Fund of the District of Columbia: (1) For a housing provider that supplies one to 10 rental units in the District of Columbia, a fine of up to $1,000; (2) For a housing provider that supplies 11 to 20 rental units in the District of Columbia, a fine of up to $2,500; or (3) For a housing provider that supplies 21 or more rental units in the District of Columbia, a fine of up to $5,000. (b) The fines set forth in subsection (a) of this section may be doubled for any housing provider that: (1) Violates this chapter more than twice within a calendar year; or (2) Fails to implement a corrective action ordered by the Commission on Human Rights within 90 days after the corrective action is ordered. (c) For any violation that occurs within 6 months after the date this act applies [July 20, 2017], the Commission on Human Rights shall issue warnings and orders to correct.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3541.05, when the Office of Human Rights finds probable cause that a housing provider violated the chapter, it refers the matter to the Commission on Human Rights, which can impose fines scaled to the size of the housing provider's rental portfolio — up to $1,000 for those with 1–10 units, up to $2,500 for 11–20 units, and up to $5,000 for 21 or more units. Half of any fine goes to the complainant and half goes to the District's General Fund. These fines can be doubled for repeat violators or those who fail to carry out a corrective action within 90 days of it being ordered.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Code § 42-3541.05 ties potential fine exposure directly to portfolio size, so housing providers with larger rental inventories face higher maximum penalties for violations of this chapter. Compliant operators generally respond promptly to any corrective action ordered by the Commission on Human Rights — failure to do so within 90 days can double the applicable fine. Providers who have already received findings in a calendar year should be especially attentive, as a third violation within that year also triggers the doubled-fine provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3541.05 establishes that tenants who file a complaint and receive a favorable probable-cause determination from the Office of Human Rights may be entitled to receive half of any fine ultimately imposed by the Commission on Human Rights. Tenants can initiate this process by filing a complaint with the Office of Human Rights, which investigates and, if warranted, certifies the matter to the Commission. Tenant-rights organizations in the District can help explain the complaint process and what to expect at each stage.
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.
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