D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3651.03

(a) Notwithstanding the availability of any other remedy, the Attorney General for the District of Columbia may, in the name of the District of Columbia and based on the grounds set forth in § 42-3651.02 , petition the Superior Court of the District of Columbia (“Court”) to appoint a receiver of the rents or payments for use and occupancy for the affected rental housing accommodation.

(a-1) (1) The Attorney General for the District of Columbia shall have the authority to issue subpoenas related to any investigation when necessary to determine whether adequate grounds exist to file a petition to appoint a receiver or to determine if a person or party subject to a receivership is maintaining other rental accommodations in a state of disrepair that constitutes a serious threat to the health, safety, or security of the tenants or to the public. Such subpoenas shall be for:

(A) The production of documents and materials;

(B) The inspection of premises;

(C) The attendance and testimony of witnesses under oath; and

(D) Sworn written responses to questions.

(2) Subpoenas issued pursuant to this subsection shall conform to the procedures established in § 1-301.88d .

(b) Notwithstanding the availability of any other remedy, a majority of the tenants in the rental housing accommodation may, based on the grounds set forth in § 42-3651.02 , submit a written request asking the Attorney General for the District of Columbia to petition the Court to appoint a receiver of the rents or payments for use and occupancy of the affected rental housing accommodation. If the Attorney General for the District of Columbia denies the request or does not file a petition within 5 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after receiving a request, the requestor may file with the Court a petition for the appointment of a receiver.

(c) Except as provided in § 42-3651.04(b) , the Court shall set a date for a hearing on the petition no later than 30 days after the filing of the petition.