D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3224
Leases under control of a person with a mental disability — Money received for renewal paid to guardian for benefit of person with a disability; characterization of money at death of person with a disability.
Operative Text
All fines, premiums, foregifts, and sums of money, which shall or may be had, received, or paid for, or on account of the renewing of any such lease or leases as aforesaid, shall (after a deduction of all necessary incident charges and expenses) be paid to the guardian or guardians, committee or committees, of the person with a disability, and be applied and disposed of for the benefit of the person with the disability, in such manner as the chancellor shall direct: but, upon the death of the person with the disability, all such sum or sums of money as shall arise by such fines, premiums, or foregifts, or so much as shall remain unapplied for the benefit of the person with the disability, at his, her or their death, shall, as between the representatives of the real and personal estates of all such people with disabilities, be considered as real estate, unless such the person with a disability shall be a tenant for life only, and then the same shall be considered as personal estate.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3224, when a lease subject to a person's mental disability is renewed, any money received in connection with that renewal—such as fines, premiums, or foregifts—must be directed to the person's legal guardian or committee after deducting necessary expenses, and used for the benefit of the person with the disability as directed by the court. Upon the death of the person with the disability, any such funds that remain unspent are generally treated as real estate for purposes of estate distribution, unless the person held only a life tenancy, in which case the remaining funds are treated as personal estate. This rule governs how renewal proceeds are classified and distributed both during the person's lifetime and at death.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers dealing with lease renewals governed by D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3224 should be aware that any renewal-related payments—premiums, fines, or foregifts—must be directed to the legally appointed guardian or committee of the person with a disability, not to the person directly. Compliant operators typically document that such payments are remitted in accordance with court direction and that necessary expenses are deducted before funds are transferred. Keeping clear records of all renewal payments and the identity of the authorized guardian helps demonstrate adherence to this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3224 establishes that a person with a mental disability who holds a lease has a legal right to have renewal proceeds—after expenses—managed by their guardian or committee for their benefit, under court supervision. If a tenant or their representative believes renewal funds are not being properly directed or applied, they may consider raising this as a concern with the court overseeing the guardianship or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with D.C. housing law. Understanding how remaining funds are classified at death—as real or personal estate—may also be relevant to the interests of the person's estate representatives.
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.
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