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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 20. ENVIRONMENT |
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Chapter 20-33. REGULATION OF LEAD-BASED PAINT ACTIVITIES |
Section 20-3319. REQUIREMENTS FOR TEMPORARY RELOCATION OF TENANTS
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3319.1A property owner shall take all steps necessary to provide temporary comparable alternative living arrangements for an affected tenant whenever DDOE requires relocation of the tenant due to the presence of lead-based paint hazards at a residential rental property, and shall:
(a)Provide the tenant with at least fourteen (14) days of written notice about the specifics of the proposed relocation, including contact information and the address of the temporary unit, unless a shorter time period is ordered by DDOE, or is mutually agreed to in writing by the owner and the tenant;
(b)Provide the tenant with a written, signed statement on a DDOE-issued form, that the tenant has the right to return to the unit once the unit has passed a clearance examination, under the same terms of agreement that exist under the current tenancy;
(c)Make all reasonable efforts to minimize the duration of any temporary relocation;
(d)Determine whether there are any appropriate temporary relocation units that do not contain any lead-based paint hazards and that are located within the same property in which the tenant currently resides, and offer same to the tenant;
(e)Make all reasonable efforts to determine whether there are any appropriate temporary relocation units available within the same school district or ward and that are close to public transportation, as appropriate, and offer same to the tenant if a unit as described in paragraph (d) above is not available; or
(f)Offer the tenant other reasonably located, appropriate, and available temporary relocation units if no such unit described in paragraphs (d) or (e) is available.
3319.2A property owner who is ordered to relocate a tenant shall pay all reasonable temporary relocation expenses that may be required until the tenant’s dwelling unit has passed a clearance examination, and a reasonable amount of time has passed to allow the tenant to return to the dwelling unit, which shall include:
(a)Moving and hauling expenses;
(b)Payment of a security deposit;
(c)The cost of replacement housing, including alternative arrangements identified by the tenant and agreed to by said property owner, if the owner has no available temporary relocation unit that satisfies § 3319.1(d-f), provided that the tenant continues to pay the rent on the dwelling unit from which the tenant has been relocated; and
(d)Installation and connection of utilities and appliances.
3319.3The property owner shall exercise due diligence in making all reasonable efforts to minimize the duration of temporary relocations.
3319.4The property owner shall comply with all relocation requirements within fourteen (14) calendar days of the receipt of a written order from DDOE requiring temporary relocation of a tenant, unless the order specifies a different deadline for such measures.
3319.5A tenant may elect to make alternative arrangements for temporary relocation without any interference from a property owner.
3319.6Whenever DDOE determines that an imminent threat to a tenant’s health and safety exists due to the presence of lead-based paint hazards, DDOE may initiate tenant relocation to a hotel or make other temporary arrangements for lead safety for the tenant, in advance of the owner receiving a DDOE Order to Relocate, or prior to the deadline to which the owner is subject pursuant to § 3319.1, and in such cases DDOE shall notify the owner in writing of the action taken, within seven (7) business days.
3319.7If DDOE incurs expenses when it takes action pursuant to § 3319.6, the property owner shall reimburse DDOE for all such expenses based upon a DDOE invoice.