I live on the property of the church I attend, and I also work here. I haven’t started paying rent yet, but I will be soon. Someone told the pastors that they smelled marijuana coming out of my apartment and the pastors showed up unannounced and demanded they come into my home without giving me a... View More 
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answered on Mar 11, 2023
As a resident on church property, you have the right to privacy and the right to deny entry to others, including pastors, without your consent or without a legal warrant. Just because your home is located on church property does not mean that your pastors have the right to enter your home without... View More
I have been living in the same condo for over two years. My last lease expired at the end of December 2021 and the owner of the unit never sent me one to renew. Based on my understanding of local law, I am now living month-to-month. I want to leave and go to a new place because there have been many... View More
answered on Apr 11, 2022
If your lease is month to month, you need to give 30 days notice. If the lease is more than month to month then you need to give 60 or 90 days, depending on the length of the lease.
My tenant is renting via the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Lease started March 1, 2021. He pays rent on time, keeps unit clean and I haven't had any problems. The neighbors have complained about his noise levels and says he has become a nuisance, aggressive and harrassing. Board called a... View More
answered on Dec 6, 2021
I am a DC landlord/tenant lawyer. As long as the tenant is not violating his lease, you cannot evict him. The evidence you discuss is not sufficient to warrant eviction. As to whether or not they can fine you, that depends on what is in any agreement you have with the Board. You will likely have... View More
My tenants are now considered holdover tenants and I want possession of property because I don’t want to rent any more and there are certain time lines for evictions in DC.
My understanding is 30 days wait/ 30 days notice to quit then eviction.
answered on Jul 27, 2021
Your understanding is incorrect. You are not at the same kind of risk if you give proper 30-day notice and then file suit. That will merely be dismissed. But, if you attempt self-help, you are at grave risk. Buy a consult with a lawyer. For starters, it's a 90-day notice. Next, if the property... View More
I have disgruntle non-communicating holdover tenants with only one name is on the non-renewal lease. I am not accepting any more rent and would like for them to leave. Do I still need to wait the 60 days after the moratorium ends to file. I don’t intend ever to use property for rental again. The... View More
answered on Jul 25, 2021
Take the rent money. You still need to wait after the moratorium. Holding over is not a valid basis to evict in DC, but you can evict if you plan to use the property for personal use. I'm sure anyone who responds would be happy to help if you decide to hire a lawyer. Good luck.
The DC gov. have had 2 extensions on moratoriums and I have notified my tenant twice in writing to vacate at end of lease on July 1,2021
answered on Jul 19, 2021
Yes. If you try to provide notice or file with the court before the moratorium ends, the court will either reject the filing now or reject it later. I'm sure anyone who responds would be happy to help if you decide to hire a lawyer. Good luck.
answered on Jul 29, 2020
You have the same obligations to clean the property pursuant to your lease, but the landlord cannot require to do anything additional.
I have asked for a plumber - they are using a jack of all trades. I have asked to move into another empty unit, with the move fee waived - denied. I have asked for alternative accommodations until the repair and clean up is completed - denied. I have asked for a break in the rent, since the... View More
answered on Jul 27, 2020
In DC, you're able to withhold rent for housing code violations and wastewater coming into your unit seems to qualify. The landlord may take you to court and you'd have to explain the housing code violation, but this is a viable remedy for you.
My landlord have been accepting my late fees and rent late from day one. Can my landlord evict me out
answered on Dec 26, 2018
Failure to timely pay rent can be a basis for eviction. Why not pay on time? Are you being evicted? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my... View More
Can I recoup the amt of the rent increase? 2yrs worth.
answered on Jun 26, 2018
If I understand your very limited facts correctly...I would ask, Why would a new landlord pay for something that an old landlord did or did not do?
Condo building/tenant is renting/ was not vetted by board /not able to sleep through the night because sleep is constantly interrupted.
answered on Oct 8, 2017
1. Walk upstairs, introduce yourself, and then politely discuss the problem assuming they don’t know they are disturbing you;
2. Get a lawyer to review all your condo docs to find all possible violations, and lay out a game plan to get rid of him:
3. Get a sound meter and... View More
I am buying a place in DC. The renters have already signed their topa rights away. However i need them to sign the notice to vacate so my bank can move forward. They are supposed to be out the 30th of june. 2 days from now and have agreed. I also went to back to the place to show my GF and the... View More
answered on Jun 28, 2017
No. You talking to a tenant is not grounds for revocation of your realtor's license. But, it does sound like you need a lawyer in your corner to make things go smoother.
I am a homeowner in an "unsavory" area of Washington DC. A few houses down from where I live, there is an apartment building where the residents (and their visitors) keep noise outside of the building at all hours of the night. It is disturbing my sleep and the police do nothing when... View More
answered on Jun 21, 2017
As a theoretical matter, no. As a practical matter, again, no. But, if you are rich enough and committed enough, maybe. You might act through others in forming a neighborhood association in which you'd really be the anonymous donor, but would appear to be a mere member. The association would... View More
My Building manager threatened me in the receptionist's presence, "You don't pay rent. I will get you kicked out. I will call the cops on you." He was not aware that I had cleared my dues except for $1000.
answered on Jun 1, 2017
As far as calling the cops it's probably a misdemeanor. Otherwise "I will get you kicked out" is ....bad management. You can complain to the owners but they may not care.
answered on May 30, 2017
Now. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my law practice website, www.AEesq.com.... View More
I contacted my landlord Jan. 18 and ask if she could have maintenance come look at my toilet because it keeps running she then tells me oh I was meaning to call you because D.C. Water called me and said it was an increase in the water usage I was upset but I didn't saying anything at the time... View More
answered on Feb 14, 2017
How did your landlord cause this problem? That's not clear. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media... View More
My new place will not let me move in until February 1. Can I prorate a few days rent. My landlord is trying to may me pay for the full month of February. Is this legal?
answered on Jan 9, 2017
It depends on the terms of your lease. Some leases require 30 days notice and require that any move-out date occur on the first of the month. You can try negotiating through counsel with your landlord re: pro-ration. An attorney should review your lease. The best first step is an Initial... View More
I live in Washington DC and the changes were made two months after I signed the contract with the apartment building so it’s almost like I was signed into a list of additional stipulations that I wasn’t aware of at the very beginning of my tenancy.
answered on Dec 7, 2016
That sounds illegal to me, but it depends on the terms of the rental agreement you signed, and whether the changes were instituted due to requirements of new laws. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer... View More
answered on Dec 15, 2016
I recommend you access self-help books on eviction law at the local law library.
See: http://ota.dc.gov/page/guide-eviction
The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me on my law practice website. This answer does not constitute legal... View More
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