D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3404.16
Unlawful acts.
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful for any person to: (1) Coerce a tenant or tenant organization to waive their rights under this subchapter ; (2) Retaliate against or harass a tenant seeking to exercise their rights under this subchapter ; or (3) Make fraudulent or misleading statements or engage in conduct intended to prevent a tenant from exercising their rights under this subchapter .
Under D.C. Code § 42-3404.16 (part of the broader tenant opportunity to purchase framework at D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq.), three categories of conduct are expressly prohibited: coercing a tenant or tenant organization into giving up their statutory rights, retaliating against or harassing a tenant who tries to exercise those rights, and making false or misleading statements—or taking other deceptive actions—designed to block a tenant from exercising those rights. The provision applies to any person, meaning it is not limited to landlords alone. Together, these prohibitions are intended to keep the rights granted elsewhere in the subchapter meaningful and enforceable.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. generally ensure that all communications with tenants and tenant organizations about purchase opportunities, notices, and related processes are accurate and transparent, consistent with § 42-3404.16. Compliant operators avoid any pressure tactics, threats, or inducements aimed at getting tenants to abandon their statutory rights, and they refrain from conduct that could be characterized as harassment or retaliation when a tenant pursues those rights. Maintaining clear, documented, and good-faith interactions with tenants is a hallmark of operations that stay within the bounds this provision sets.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3404.16, within the framework of D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq., gives tenants and tenant organizations explicit protection against coercion, retaliation, harassment, and deceptive conduct aimed at stripping away their statutory rights. If a tenant believes any of these prohibited acts have occurred, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the District of Columbia's relevant housing authorities, raising the violation as a defense or counterclaim in a legal proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for information about available remedies. Keeping records of communications, notices, and any incidents that feel coercive or retaliatory can be useful when pursuing any of these paths.
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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