Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in District of Columbia

In landlord Tenant court in DC, can the funds paid into the court registry for rent be released to the landlord as a sanction against the tenant? Twice, the housing provider has filed motions for sanctions against for being late on payments.(I am disabled and occasionally use assistance for rent. That assistance requires a payment to be late in order to apply). The docket in the case both times say that the motion was denied, then released funds to the landlord(the landlord claimed to be near foreclosure although, he appears to have no mortgage on the property). The case was transferred to the civil division, where housing provider informed judge that tenant was sanctioned twice by LT court and asked again for sanctions. Although it was pointed out that LT rules appear to state that issues involving the protective order are to be heard in the LT court, not civil, the judge issued a sanction of additional funds to be released to the landlord. LT rules state that no money sanction may be issued on the underlying case.


Asked on 2/22/10, 12:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

You might wish to consider contacting one of the low cost legal services

providers in DC such as Catholic Charities or other agencies which

may be able to provide you with an attorney to assist with this matter at

no or very low cost to you. (The decision of the civil division judge may need to be challenged on appeal.)

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Answered on 2/28/10, 8:38 pm


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