D.C. Code tit. 2, ch. 14 § 2-1403.16
Private cause of action.
Operative Text
(a) Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice under this unit may file a private cause of action in a court of competent jurisdiction for damages and such other remedies as may be appropriate, consistent with the provisions of this section. (b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a private cause of action brought pursuant to this unit shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction within 2 years after the unlawful discriminatory act, or the discovery thereof. (2) The timely filing of a complaint with the Office, under this unit or under procedures established by the Mayor pursuant to § 2-1403.03 , shall toll the time to file a private cause of action until after the Office has served a notice of right to file a civil action on the complainant pursuant to § 2-1403.06a . (c) (1) After filing a complaint with the Office, a person shall maintain all rights to bring suit in any court of competent jurisdiction if: (A) The person submitted a written notice of withdrawal before the completion of the Office's investigation; or (B) The Office dismissed the complaint on grounds of lack of jurisdiction, no probable cause, or administrative convenience. (2) A person who brings a private cause of action pursuant to this subsection shall file suit no later than 90 days after the Office has served the notice of right to file a civil action or within the remaining limitations period referenced in subsection (b) of this section, whichever is longer. (d) With the exception of complaints alleging unlawful discrimination in residential real estate transactions brought pursuant to this unit or the FHA covered by § 2-1403.05 , if the Office has made a probable cause finding against a respondent, the person may bring a private cause of action only if: (1) The person submitted written notice of withdrawal to the Office on or before the 30th day after the close of discovery before the Commission or a hearing examiner; and (2) The person filed the cause of action no later than 90 days after the Office has served the notice of right to file a civil action or within the period remaining on the statute of limitations referenced in subsection (b) of this section, whichever is longer. (e) No person who maintains, in a court of competent jurisdiction, any action based upon an act which would be an unlawful discriminatory practice under this unit may file the same complaint with the Office. (f) The court may grant any relief it deems appropriate, including, the relief provided in §§ 2-1403.07 and 2-1403.13(a) , to a person who brings a cause of action pursuant to this section, including an action against the District of Columbia. (g) A court may consider but shall not be bound by the prior finding, decision, or other record of the Office. (h) The notice requirement of § 12-309 shall not apply to any action brought against the District of Columbia under this section.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.16 establishes that individuals who believe they have experienced unlawful housing discrimination in the District of Columbia may pursue a private lawsuit in court, rather than—or in some cases after—filing a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights. The general deadline to file such a lawsuit is two years from the discriminatory act or its discovery, though filing an administrative complaint can pause that clock. Courts hearing these cases may award a broad range of remedies and are not required to defer to any prior administrative findings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1403.16, property owners and managers operating in the District should be aware that individuals alleging unlawful discriminatory practices in housing have the right to bring a civil lawsuit directly in court, independent of any administrative process. Compliant operators typically maintain thorough, contemporaneous records of their rental decisions, policies, and communications, since a court may review those materials without being bound by any prior Office of Human Rights determination. Operators generally ensure their practices align with D.C. human rights requirements, recognizing that a probable-cause finding by the Office does not foreclose subsequent private litigation under defined circumstances.
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. § 2-1403.16 gives tenants who believe they have experienced unlawful housing discrimination the right to file a private lawsuit in court within two years of the discriminatory act or its discovery. Filing a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights can toll—temporarily pause—that two-year window, and the Office will issue a notice of right to file a civil action that restarts the clock for court filing. Tenants navigating these timelines and procedural choices may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with D.C. human rights law to understand which path fits their circumstances.
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 Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation