14 DCMR § 14-3906
SUBSTITUTION OR ADDITION OF PARTIES
Operative Text
3906.1 In the event of the death, dissolution, reorganization, or change of ownership or interest of a party, the Rent Administrator may, upon his or her own motion when such an event is suggested by any documents filed, or upon the motion of a party, substitute or add a person, including a trust, estate, or representative, as a party to the proceeding. 3906.2 If it appears to the Rent Administrator that the identity of the parties has been incorrectly determined, the Rent Administrator may substitute or add the correct parties on his or her own motion. 3906.3 No substitution or addition of parties may occur unless all current and proposed parties are served with the motion in accordance with § 3911 and given an opportunity to file written arguments in support of or in opposition to a motion for substitution of parties. The Rent Administrator may require a current or proposed party to file documentation establishing the relationship or interest of the party to be substituted.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 14-3906 governs how parties to a rent-related proceeding before the Rent Administrator can be changed. When a party dies, dissolves, reorganizes, or transfers ownership, the Rent Administrator has authority to swap in or add a new party—such as an estate, trust, or representative—either on the Administrator's own initiative or at a party's request. If the wrong parties were identified from the start, the Administrator can also correct that error. Any such change requires that all current and proposed parties receive proper notice and a chance to submit written arguments before the substitution or addition takes effect.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers involved in proceedings under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 14-3906 should be aware that changes in ownership, corporate structure, or other interests can trigger a formal substitution of parties before the Rent Administrator. A compliant operator generally ensures that any transfer of ownership or change in legal status is promptly disclosed through filed documents, so the Administrator can identify whether a party substitution is warranted. Operators also typically maintain documentation—such as deeds, corporate records, or trust agreements—that can establish the relationship or interest of any party proposed for substitution, as the Rent Administrator may require such records.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants involved in a proceeding before the Rent Administrator should know that § 14-3906 protects their right to notice and participation whenever a landlord-side party change is proposed. Under this provision, tenants must be served with any motion for substitution or addition of parties and are entitled to file written arguments in support of or opposition to that motion before any change is finalized. Tenants who believe a party substitution has occurred without proper notice may raise that procedural issue within the proceeding, and tenant-rights organizations in the District of Columbia can help explain what options are generally available in such situations.
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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