14 DCMR § 14-3821
DECISIONS ON APPEALS
Operative Text
3821.1 Unless an appeal is otherwise dismissed pursuant to an order issued in accordance with this chapter, the Commission shall dispose of all appeals on the merits by issuing a final decision and order. Each final decision and order shall be issued by a majority vote of a quorum of the Commission at a public meeting on the record, in accordance with § 3800.4. 3821.2 A final decision and order shall be in writing and shall be signed by all participating Commissioners, whether concurring in or dissenting from the result. 3821.3 Upon the signing of a final decision and order, the Clerk shall serve a copy on all parties, or a party’s representative of record, by U.S. mail, or by electronic mail attachment with the prior consent of the party, in accordance with § 3803.3. 3821.4 The Commission shall retain the original copy of each signed final decision and order, and a copy shall be made publicly available at the Commission’s office, on the Commission’s website, and by electronic database through the Lexis service or other service as the Commission may deem suitable. 3821.5 The original and each copy of a final decision and order that is served on a party shall include a certificate of service that includes the following: (a) The date and method of service; (b) Names and addresses of the persons or parties on whom the decision was served; and (c) The signature of the person completing the service. 3821.6 A decision and order of the Commission shall become final and effective on the date it is served on the parties; provided, that if a motion for reconsideration or modification is filed, the decision and order shall become final when the motion is granted or denied pursuant to § 3823. 3821.7 Any party aggrieved by a final decision and order of the Commission may obtain judicial review of the order by filing a petition for review in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in accordance with its rules for review of agency orders. 3821.8 The effect of a final decision and order of the Commission shall not be stayed automatically by the filing of a petition for review with the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. A party that seeks or intends to seek judicial review in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals may file a motion with the Commission to request a stay pending judicial review. 3821.9 A motion for a stay pending judicial review shall be made and decided in accordance with § 3805.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-3821, the District of Columbia Rental Housing Commission resolves housing appeals by issuing written final decisions and orders, approved by a majority of a quorum at a public meeting. These decisions are served on all parties by mail or email, retained by the Commission, and made publicly available online and through legal databases. A decision takes effect on the date it is served, unless a motion for reconsideration is pending, and any aggrieved party may seek judicial review in the D.C. Court of Appeals—though filing for review does not automatically pause the decision's effect.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers involved in Commission appeals under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-3821 should be aware that a final decision and order becomes binding on the date it is served, meaning compliance obligations can arise promptly. Operators generally monitor the Commission's website and their mail or email for service of decisions, since the Clerk is required to serve copies on all parties or their representatives of record. If a landlord believes a decision warrants further review, § 14-3821 provides a pathway to request a stay from the Commission or to petition the D.C. Court of Appeals, but neither action automatically suspends the order.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who are parties to a Commission appeal should know that D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-3821 entitles them to receive a written copy of the final decision and order, served by mail or email, on the date it becomes effective. If a tenant believes the Commission's ruling was incorrect, § 14-3821.7 provides a right to seek judicial review by filing a petition with the D.C. Court of Appeals, and § 14-3821.6 allows for a motion for reconsideration before that step. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices familiar with D.C. housing law can help explain what these procedural options generally involve.
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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