Subchapter III. Alterations to Rental Units Causing Violations of Housing Regulations After Notice to Vacate.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law except §§ 6-731.02 and 6- 731.03, no person shall, during the period of time after the giving of a notice to vacate any rental unit (as defined by Chapter 35 of Title 42) and before the actual vacation of such unit, cause any alteration to the structure, plumbing apparatus, or electrical apparatus of the housing accommodation (as defined by Chapter 35 of Title 42) in which such unit is located, the result of which alteration is to cause such rental unit to come to be in substantial violation (or, if already in substantial violation, to be in greater violation) of the housing regulations of the District of Columbia for a period of time in excess of 24 hours; provided, that it shall not be a defense to an allegation of a violation of this section that the notice to vacate was invalid.
(Apr. 23, 1977, D.C. Law 1-129, § 2, 23 DCR 9693.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 5-525.
1973 Ed., § 5-324.
References in Text
The references to "Chapter 35 of Title 42" originally read "Chapter 15 of Title 45" [1981 Ed.]; however, the provisions of former § 45-1551 [1981 Ed.] expired and have been superseded by the provisions of § 42-3504.01. See notes to §§ 42-4051 and 42-3504.01.
Legislative History of Laws
Law 1-129, the "Act to Preserve the Habitability of Rental Units Subject to Notices to Vacate" was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 1-360, which was referred to the Committee on Housing and Urban Development. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on October 12, 1976, and November 23, 1976, respectively. Enacted without signature by the Mayor on January 9, 1977, it was assigned Act No. 1-223 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review.
Section 6-731.01 shall not apply to any person performing any alteration upon any housing accommodation if the tenants of unvacated rental units, which are the subject of notices to vacate and which can reasonably be expected to be caused by the alteration to come to be in substantial violation (or, if already in substantial violation, to be in greater violation) of the housing regulations of the District of Columbia for a period of time in excess of 24 hours, agree in writing to the alteration after receiving written notice of the alteration and its effect upon the habitability of the affected units.
(Apr. 23, 1977, D.C. Law 1-129, § 3, 23 DCR 9693.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 5-526.
1973 Ed., § 5-325.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 1-129, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 6-731.01.
The Mayor of the District of Columbia, or his designee, may grant an exemption from the provisions of § 6-731.01 in the event he, or his designee, inspects a housing accommodation wherein there are unvacated units subject to a notice to vacate and finds that a proposed alteration, while it may cause such a rental unit to come to be in substantial violation (or, if already in substantial violation, to be in greater violation) of the housing regulations of the District of Columbia for a period of time in excess of 24 hours, is, nevertheless, necessary for the immediate safety of the habitants of the accommodation.
(Apr. 23, 1977, D.C. Law 1-129, § 4, 23 DCR 9693.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 5-527.
1973 Ed., § 5-326.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 1-129, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 6-731.01.
Any person violating § 6-731.01 shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 days, fined not more than $300, or both.
(Apr. 23, 1977, D.C. Law 1-129, § 5, 23 DCR 9693.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Prior Codifications
1981 Ed., § 5-528.
1973 Ed., § 5-327.
Legislative History of Laws
For legislative history of D.C. Law 1-129, see Historical and Statutory Notes following § 6-731.01.
