Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in District of Columbia

I have rented my home for almost two years. The day we moved in the gas company red tagged our heater, there has never been even one smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector and to top it all off the running cold water in the kitchen just trickles out.

Can I sue for the money we paid in rent since the land lord rented me a unit that was uninhabitable

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Asked on 5/30/13, 10:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Travis Murrell Travis A Murrell, Attorney at Law

Residential leases in the District of Columbia have an implied warranty of habitability. That said Tenants may not initiate a suit in D.C. for paid rent. However, a tenant may withhold rent and counterclaim once the Landlord sues in Landlord and Tenant Court. The Tenant can also file a tenant petition with rent control depending upon the landlord's status.

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Answered on 5/31/13, 5:08 am


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