D.C. Code tit. 2, ch. 14 § 2-1403.05
Investigation.
Operative Text
(a) With the exception of complaints alleging unlawful discrimination in residential real estate transactions brought pursuant to this chapter or the FHA, the Office shall serve a copy of the complaint upon the respondent, and upon all persons it deems to be necessary parties; and shall make prompt investigation in connection therewith. (b) Within 120 days, after service of the complaint upon all parties thereto, the Office shall determine whether, in accord with its own rules, it has jurisdiction; and if so, whether there is probable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged or is engaging in an unlawful discriminatory practice. (c) If the Office finds that it lacks jurisdiction over a complaint or that probable cause does not exist, the Director shall issue and serve on the appropriate parties an order dismissing the allegations of the complaint. (d) The Office shall complete investigations of complaints alleging unlawful discrimination in residential real estate transactions brought pursuant to this chapter or the FHA, within 100 days after filing of the complaint. The Office shall notify the parties in writing of the reasons for not timely completing the investigation, if it is unable to or it becomes impracticable to complete the investigation within 100 days. (e) The Office may join a person not named as an additional or substitute respondent upon written notice for complaints alleging unlawful discrimination in residential real estate transactions brought pursuant to this chapter or the FHA. The Office, in the notice to the respondent shall explain the basis for determining that the person is properly joined as a respondent. (f) The complainant, respondent, or an aggrieved person on whose behalf the complaint was filed, for complaints alleging unlawful discrimination in residential real estate transactions or violations of the FHA, may elect to have the claims asserted in the complaint decided in a civil action. (1) An election of remedies, pursuant to this subsection, shall be made no later than 20 days after the service of a charge, based on a finding of probable cause pursuant to the investigation of the complaint. (2) The person making the election of remedies shall give notice by certified mail to the Director and to all parties to the complaint. (g) If a timely election is made pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, the Director shall authorize, not later than 30 days after the election is made, and the Attorney General shall file a civil action on behalf of the aggrieved party in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Venue for an action pursuant to this section shall be in the District of Columbia. Any aggrieved party may intervene in this court action. The Court may grant relief pursuant to § 2-1403.16(b) if the court finds that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is occurring.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.05 establishes the investigation process the D.C. Office of Human Rights (OHR) follows after a discrimination complaint is filed. For most complaints, OHR must serve the respondent and determine within 120 days whether it has jurisdiction and whether probable cause exists; for complaints involving residential real estate or Fair Housing Act (FHA) violations, the investigation must be completed within 100 days. If probable cause is found in a housing discrimination case, the complainant, respondent, or aggrieved person has the option to move the matter into a civil court action rather than continue through the administrative process, with the D.C. Attorney General authorized to file suit in Superior Court on behalf of the aggrieved party.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.05, a property owner or manager named as a respondent in a discrimination complaint can expect to be formally served with a copy of the complaint and to participate in an OHR investigation that operates under defined timelines—120 days for most complaints and 100 days for residential real estate or FHA matters. Compliant operators typically maintain thorough records of their rental practices, communications, and decision-making processes so they can respond substantively during the investigation phase. Operators should also be aware that OHR has authority to join additional or substitute respondents, and that any party may elect to shift a housing discrimination matter to a civil court proceeding within 20 days of a probable-cause charge being served.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.05 gives tenants and other aggrieved persons who believe they have experienced housing discrimination a structured administrative path through OHR, which is required to complete residential real estate investigations within 100 days of the complaint being filed. If OHR finds probable cause, tenants or aggrieved persons have the right to elect a civil court remedy within 20 days of receiving the charge, which would result in the D.C. Attorney General filing a civil action in Superior Court on their behalf—and aggrieved parties may also intervene directly in that court action. Tenants navigating this process may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with D.C. human rights and fair housing procedures to understand which avenue may be available to them.
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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation