D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3606
Complaint by affected tenant or resident association.
Operative Text
(a) To initiate an action pursuant to § 42-3602 , an affected tenant, resident, or resident association may submit a petition accompanied by a complaint for review by the Mayor. The housing provider may be named as party plaintiff in the petition. The review of the petition by the Mayor shall be completed within 7 days of receipt of the petition. (b) The petition shall set forth the following: (1) The date and time the affected tenant, resident, or resident association witnessed the possession, manufacture, storage, distribution, use, or attempted possession, manufacture, storage, distribution, or use of an illegal drug in the rental unit by a tenant or occupant; (2) The name, address, and telephone number of any corroborating witness; and (3) Any other information relevant to the petition that can be verified by a named witness or independent authority, including the Metropolitan Police Department. (c) If, upon review, the Mayor determines that a petition and complaint are complete, the affected tenant, resident, or resident association may file the complaint with the Court to commence an action pursuant to § 42-3602 . (d) The Court shall proceed to consider the complaint under §§ 42-3602 and 42-3603 .
D.C. Code § 42-3606 establishes a process by which an affected tenant, resident, or resident association can initiate a legal action related to illegal drug activity in a rental unit. The process begins with submitting a petition and complaint to the Mayor, who must complete a review within 7 days. If the Mayor finds the petition complete, the complainant may then file with the Court, which proceeds under the standards set out in §§ 42-3602 and 42-3603.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3606, a housing provider may be named as a party plaintiff in a petition brought by an affected tenant, resident, or resident association. Compliant operators generally maintain awareness of the petition and complaint process, keep records of any relevant communications, and understand that the Mayor's review timeline is set at 7 days. Familiarity with the related provisions at §§ 42-3602 and 42-3603 helps housing providers understand the full scope of potential court proceedings that may follow.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3606 gives affected tenants, residents, and resident associations a formal pathway to report witnessed illegal drug activity in a rental unit by submitting a petition and complaint to the Mayor for review. The petition must include specific details such as the date and time of the witnessed activity, corroborating witness information, and any other verifiable relevant information. If the Mayor finds the petition complete within the 7-day review window, the complainant may file with the Court; tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help individuals understand how this process interacts with broader protections under §§ 42-3602 and 42-3603.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation