14 DCMR § 14-6904
APPOINTMENT OF A RECEIVER
Operative Text
6904.1 The following persons shall be excluded for appointment as a receiver: (a) An employee of a District agency that licenses or provides financial payment to the type of housing accommodation being placed in receivership; (b) A person who has a financial interest in any other real property in common with the owner of the property being placed in receivership; (c) A parent, child, grandchild, spouse, sibling, first cousin, aunt, or uncle of the owner of the property being placed under receivership, whether the relationship arises by blood, marriage, or adoption; or (d) A tenant of the property being placed under receivership, whether the relationship arises by blood, marriage, or adoption. 6904.2 The Superior Court may appoint a receiver, ex parte, if the Superior Court finds that the affected rental housing accommodation poses an immediate danger to the health, safety, or security of the tenants. 6904.3 A receiver, appointed ex parte, may immediately collect all rents or payments for use and occupancy of the affected rental housing accommodation in order to alleviate the conditions cited by the Superior Court in the order appointing the receiver. 6904.4 The Superior Court may continue an ex parte appointment if: (a) The Superior Court finds that the petitioner has proven the existence of grounds under section 502 of the Act; and (b) The owner, agent, lessor, or manager has failed to submit a sufficient plan for abatement of the conditions alleged in the petition. 6904.5 A petitioner may request the appointment of a substitute receiver upon the occurrence of the following events: (a) The receiver dies; (b) The receiver has or develops a disability which impedes his or her ability to carry out the receivership; (c) The receiver has or develops a conflict of interest; or (d) The receiver fails to make reasonable progress in carrying out the receivership.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 14-6904 establishes who may not serve as a court-appointed receiver for a rental housing property in the District of Columbia, including certain government employees, people with shared financial interests in real property with the owner, close family members of the owner, and current tenants of the property. The Superior Court is authorized to appoint a receiver on an emergency basis—without prior notice to the owner—if the property poses an immediate danger to tenant health, safety, or security, and such a receiver may begin collecting rents immediately. The provision also sets out conditions under which an emergency appointment can be continued and allows for a substitute receiver to be requested if the original receiver dies, becomes disabled, develops a conflict of interest, or fails to make reasonable progress.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 14-6904, a property owner facing receivership proceedings should be aware that the Superior Court has authority to act on an emergency basis and appoint a receiver without advance notice if conditions at the property are deemed an immediate threat to tenants. Operators who maintain properties in compliance with health and safety standards and who respond promptly to any petition with a credible abatement plan are generally better positioned, as § 14-6904.4 indicates that a court may continue an ex parte appointment when the owner has failed to submit a sufficient remediation plan. Understanding which individuals are disqualified from serving as receiver under § 14-6904.1—such as close relatives or co-investors—can be relevant when evaluating the legitimacy of any proposed appointment.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 14-6904 provides tenants with an important protection: if a rental housing accommodation poses an immediate danger to health, safety, or security, the Superior Court can appoint a receiver on an emergency basis, and that receiver may begin collecting rents right away to fund remediation efforts. Tenants who believe their building qualifies for receivership may explore filing or supporting a petition, and if a receiver is not performing adequately—due to disability, conflict of interest, or lack of progress—§ 14-6904.5 allows for a request to appoint a substitute. Tenants seeking to understand these rights in more detail may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with District of Columbia housing law.
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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