D.C. Code tit. 8 § 8-231.07
Prohibition against retaliation.
Operative Text
(a) A tenant may provide information to the Mayor concerning deteriorated paint or lead-based paint hazards within a property or elevated blood levels of a person at risk. (b) The provision of information in subsection (a) of this section shall be considered tenant rights.
Under D.C. Code § 8-231.01 et seq. § 8-231.07, tenants in the District of Columbia have an explicit legal right to report information about deteriorated paint, lead-based paint hazards, or elevated blood lead levels in a person at risk to the Mayor's office. This provision establishes that making such a report is a protected tenant right, not merely a permitted action. The heading of the section signals that this right exists within a broader framework designed to prevent landlords from retaliating against tenants who come forward with lead-related concerns.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in the District of Columbia should be aware that D.C. Code § 8-231.01 et seq. § 8-231.07 explicitly classifies a tenant's act of reporting lead paint hazards or elevated blood lead levels to the Mayor as a protected right. Compliant operators generally refrain from any action that could be construed as discouraging, penalizing, or responding adversely to a tenant who exercises this right. Maintaining clear, documented responses to lead-related complaints helps demonstrate that any subsequent landlord actions are unrelated to a tenant's protected reporting activity.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 8-231.01 et seq. § 8-231.07 establishes that reporting information about deteriorated paint, lead-based paint hazards, or elevated blood lead levels to the Mayor is a recognized tenant right in the District of Columbia. If a tenant believes a landlord has taken adverse action in response to such a report, this provision may be relevant to any complaint or legal proceeding. Tenants can reach out to the D.C. Mayor's office, local tenant-rights organizations, or legal aid services to learn more about how this protection applies and what enforcement paths may be available.
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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