D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3509.02
Attorney’s fees.
Operative Text
The Rent Administrator, Rental Housing Commission, or a court of competent jurisdiction may award reasonable attorney’s fees to the prevailing party in any action under this chapter, except actions for eviction authorized under § 42-3505.01 .
Under D.C. Code § 42-3509.02, the Rent Administrator, Rental Housing Commission, or a court of competent jurisdiction has discretion to award reasonable attorney's fees to whichever party prevails in a housing action brought under the District's Rental Housing Act (D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq.). This fee-shifting authority applies broadly across covered proceedings but does not extend to eviction actions authorized under § 42-3505.01. The provision creates a financial incentive for parties to pursue or defend meritorious claims under the Act.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. should be aware that § 42-3509.02 allows decision-makers—including the Rent Administrator, the Rental Housing Commission, and courts—to shift attorney's fees to the prevailing party in covered proceedings. A landlord who successfully defends a claim brought under the Rental Housing Act may be eligible to seek a fee award, while one who loses a covered action may face an obligation to pay the other side's legal costs. Operators generally document their compliance efforts carefully, in part because fee exposure can significantly affect the economics of any dispute under the Act.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants pursuing claims under D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. should know that § 42-3509.02 gives the Rent Administrator, Rental Housing Commission, and courts the authority to award reasonable attorney's fees to the party that prevails in a covered action. This means that if a tenant prevails in a proceeding under the Rental Housing Act—other than an eviction action under § 42-3505.01—a fee award may be available, which can make it more feasible to obtain legal representation. Tenants can explore their options by contacting the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate or a local tenant-rights organization for general information about how this provision may apply to 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 In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation