14 DCMR § 14-3908
EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF A PROCEEDING
Operative Text
3908.1 If, prior to the transfer by the Rent Administrator of a tenant petition to the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Rent Administrator determines that the issues raised in the petition may affect other tenants or all tenants in the housing accommodation, the Rent Administrator may provide written notice and advise the Office of Administrative Hearings of the possible grounds for the Office of Administrative Hearings to expand the scope of the proceeding to include all affected tenants in accordance with 1 DCMR § 2929.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 14-3908, when a tenant petition is filed but has not yet been transferred to the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Rent Administrator has the authority to assess whether the issues raised could affect other tenants or all tenants in a housing accommodation. If such broader impact is identified, the Rent Administrator may issue written notice and inform the Office of Administrative Hearings of potential grounds to widen the scope of the proceeding. This mechanism allows a single petition to evolve into a broader proceeding that encompasses all affected tenants, consistent with 1 DCMR § 2929.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 14-3908, a housing accommodation operator should be aware that a single tenant petition can potentially be expanded to cover all tenants in the building before the case is even transferred to the Office of Administrative Hearings. Compliant operators generally maintain thorough and consistent records of rent charges, services, and conditions across all units, since a proceeding that begins with one tenant's complaint may be broadened if the Rent Administrator identifies issues of wider impact. Being prepared for building-wide scrutiny is a practical consideration whenever any tenant petition is pending.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 14-3908 provides a mechanism that can benefit tenants beyond the original petitioner: if the Rent Administrator believes the issues in a pending petition may affect other tenants or all tenants in the building, the Administrator can notify the Office of Administrative Hearings and lay the groundwork for expanding the proceeding. This means that a complaint filed by one tenant could result in relief being considered for a broader group of residents in the same housing accommodation. Tenants who believe they share concerns with a neighbor's pending petition may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how this provision under 1 DCMR § 2929 might apply to their situation.
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.
Effective Timeline
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