D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3651.01
Purpose of the appointment of a receiver.
Operative Text
The purpose of the appointment of a receiver under this chapter shall be to safeguard the health, safety, and security of the tenants of a rental housing accommodation if there exists a violation of District of Columbia or federal law which seriously threatens the tenant’s health, safety, or security. The receiver shall not take actions inconsistent with this purpose or take actions other than those necessary and proper to the maintenance and repair of the rental housing accommodation. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit or abrogate any other common law or statutory right to petition for receivership, nor shall anything in this chapter prevent a tenant or tenant association from asserting as a defense or counterclaim a housing provider's non-compliance with applicable housing regulations.
D.C. Code § 42-3651.01 et seq. establishes a legal mechanism through which a court may appoint a receiver to oversee a rental housing property when serious violations of District of Columbia or federal law threaten tenant health, safety, or security. The receiver's authority is deliberately limited to maintenance and repair actions that serve that protective purpose. The law also preserves any other existing legal avenues for seeking receivership and explicitly keeps intact tenants' rights to raise a housing provider's regulatory non-compliance as a defense or counterclaim in legal proceedings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3651.01 et seq., a court-appointed receiver can be installed to manage a rental property when serious health, safety, or security violations go unaddressed. Operators who maintain properties in compliance with applicable District of Columbia and federal housing regulations reduce the circumstances under which receivership proceedings might be initiated. Keeping thorough records of inspections, repairs, and code-compliance efforts reflects the kind of proactive property management that aligns with the standards this chapter is designed to enforce.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3651.01 et seq. gives tenants a legal pathway to seek court appointment of a receiver when serious violations of District of Columbia or federal law threaten their health, safety, or security in a rental housing accommodation. Beyond receivership, the law expressly preserves the right of tenants and tenant associations to raise a housing provider's failure to comply with applicable housing regulations as a defense or counterclaim in legal proceedings. Tenants who believe conditions in their building may meet this threshold can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the range of options available under this chapter.
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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