Councilmember Michael Brown’s Committee on Housing and Workforce Development, and Councilmember Yvette Alexander’s Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, held a joint public hearing yesterday on Bill 19-190, the “Tenant Security Deposits Clarification Amendment Act of 2011.” Bill 19-190 would give the DC Office of Administrative Hearings jurisdiction to hear disputes regarding tenant security deposits as well as the interest on tenant security deposits. It would also make a landlord who acts in bad faith liable for treble damages payable to the tenant. These corrections to previously enacted legislation are technical in nature, but nonetheless they are critical to tenants who need an effective administrative remedy regarding security deposit disputes. Legislative Director Joel Cohn presented OTA’s testimony on behalf of Chief Tenant Advocate Johanna Shreve. If you have any questions or concerns about the legislation, please call Mr. Cohn at (202) 719-6568. Anyone wishing to submit testimony for the record may do so through Thursday, December 8th.
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Office of the Tenant Advocate
Due to COVID-19, the office is closed to walk-ins until further notice.
For telephone intakes please call (202) 719-6560.