Housing Conditions Court

The Housing Conditions Court allows tenants to sue landlords for DC Housing Code violations on an expedited basis. Cases on the Housing Condition Court will have the first hearing scheduled less than a month after the suit is filed. (The tenant-plaintiff is responsible for serving (giving official legal notice to) the landlord at least eight calendar days in advance of the hearing.) To initiate a case, a tenant-plaintiff must file a complaint and summons with the Civil Actions Branch Clerk’s Office, Moultrie Courthouse, room 5000. A copy of the complaint and summons must then be served on the landlord-defendant.

The Housing Conditions Court is limited in nature and only available for those seeking to enforce compliance with D.C. Housing Code Regulations (14 DCM.R. §§ 500 - 900, 1200). Litigants seeking other relief, such as monetary relief for the condition of the property, return of a security deposit, personal injury, or possession of the rental property, must file a separate, non-Housing Conditions claim in the Small Claims Branch (for those seeking relief in an amount under $10,000) or in the Civil Actions Branch (for those seeking relief over $10,000), or as a counterclaim to a Landlord & Tenant Branch case.

Housing Conditions Court Forms

To initiate a case, a tenant-plaintiff must file a complaint and summons with the Civil Actions Branch Clerk’s Office, Moultrie Courthouse, room 5000. A copy of the complaint and summons must then be served on the landlord-defendant. Find forms and instructions on how to complete and serve below.