A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To amend, on a temporary basis, the Rental Housing Act
of 1985 and the Rental Conversion and Sale Act of 1990 to preserve tenant rights if a
building has been closed by the District of Columbia for housing code violations by
providing that the tenancy shall continue for 2 years after physical occupancy ceases for
purposes of preservation of tenancy rights and rights relating to sale or conversion and
reoccupancy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Tenant Protection Temporary
Amendment Act of 2000."
Sec. 2. Section 501 of the Rental
Housing Act of 1980, effective July 17, 1985 ( D.C. Law 6-10: D.C. Code § 45-2551) is
amended by adding a new subsection (m) which to read follows:
"(m)(1) If the occupancy of a
tenant has been or will be terminated by a placard placed by the District of Columbia
Government in accordance with 14 DCMR § 103 for violations of Title 14 of the District of
Columbia Municipal Regulations that threaten the life, health, or safety of the tenant.
the tenancy shall not be deemed terminated for a period of ? years after the date that
physical occupancy ceased."(2) The Mayor stall maintain a
registry of the persons, including their subsequent interim addresses. who were tenants,
at the time the building was placarded."(3) At the time of the
placarding, the Mayor shall provide a written notice to the tenants of the right to
maintain their tenancy and the need to keep the Mayor informed of interim addresses. The
notice shall contain the address and telephone number of the office maintaining the
registry.
"(4) Any notice required under
this subchapter shall be effective when sent to the tenant at the address maintained in
the registry.".
Sec. 3. The Rental Conversion and
Sale Act of 1980, effective September 10, 1980 (D.C. Law 3-86; D.C. Code §45-1601 et.
seq.) is amended by adding a new section 104 to read as follows:
"Sec. 45-1604. Applicability of
Rental Housing Act of 1985"For proposes of this Act, the
provisions of § 5O 1(m) of the Rental Housing Act of 1980, effective July 17, 1985 (D.C.
Law 6-10; D.C. Code § 251 (m) shall apply."
Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.
The Council adopts the attached
fiscal impact statement as the fiscal impact required by section 602(c)(3 ) of the
District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813: D.C. Code
§1-233(c)(3)).
Sec. 5. Effective date.
(a) This act shall take effect
following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the
Council to override the veto), approval by the Financial Responsibility and Management
Assistance Authority as provided in section 203(a) of the District of Columbia Financial
Responsibility and :Management Assistance Act of 1995, approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat.
116; D.C. Code §47-392.3(a)), a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in
section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973
(87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code § 1-233(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia
Register.
(b) This act shall expire after 225
days of its having taken effect.