14 DCMR § 14-3923
DECISIONS OF THE RENT ADMINISTRATOR
Operative Text
3923.1 The Rent Administrator shall issue a final order for each petition, application, or complaint filed with the Rental Accommodations Division for which the Rent Administrator retains jurisdiction and is not required to transfer the matter to the Office of Administrative Hearings by Chapters 41-44 of this title. 3923.2 A final order shall contain the following: (a) Findings of fact and conclusions of law (including the reasons or basis of those findings) upon each issue presented in the proceeding; (b) The final disposition of the petition or complaint, (including appropriate relief and any penalties, if applicable under the Act); and (c) A statement of the parties’ right to appeal to the Commission. 3923.3 A decision shall become final and effective when issued pursuant to §§ 3923.1 and 3923.2, except that if a motion for reconsideration is timely filed, the decision shall not become final until the motion is disposed of in accordance with § 3924. 3923.4 The thirty (30) day time limit in which an appeal to the Commission shall be filed, as prescribed in § 216(h) of the Act (D.C. Official Code § 42-3502.16(h)) and § 3802.2 of this title, shall begin to run when the decision becomes final.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-3923, the Rent Administrator is required to issue a written final order for each petition, application, or complaint that remains within the Administrator's jurisdiction. That order must include factual findings, legal conclusions, a final disposition with any applicable relief or penalties, and notice of the parties' right to appeal to the Rental Housing Commission. A decision takes effect when issued, unless a timely motion for reconsideration is filed, in which case finality is delayed until that motion is resolved.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers involved in proceedings before the Rental Accommodations Division should be aware that, under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-3923, every case the Rent Administrator decides will result in a written final order spelling out findings, conclusions, and any relief or penalties. Compliant operators generally track the issuance date of any such order carefully, because the 30-day window to appeal to the Rental Housing Commission begins running from the date the decision becomes final. If a motion for reconsideration is filed, the appeal clock does not start until that motion is disposed of.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who have filed a petition or complaint with the Rental Accommodations Division can expect a written final order under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-3923 that explains the factual and legal basis for the decision, states the outcome, and notifies all parties of their right to appeal to the Rental Housing Commission. The 30-day period to file that appeal begins when the decision becomes final, which may be extended if a motion for reconsideration is timely submitted. Tenants seeking to understand their options after receiving an order may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with D.C. rental housing procedures.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation