WASHINGTON, DC -- On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, the DC Superior Court will launch a program allowing tenants to sue landlords for Housing Code violations on an expedited basis.   
 
“We are very pleased to create a new expedited calendar for tenants seeking to compel landlords to keep their rented home or apartment up to the conditions required by the DC Code.  This process will allow tenants to raise claims and landlords to quickly address those code violations that are found to exist,” said Superior Court Chief Judge Lee Satterfield.  “I am grateful to my colleagues Judges Duncan-Peters and Wright, to the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, and to members of the Council, especially Marion Barry, Michael Brown, Muriel Bowser, Mary Cheh and Jim Graham, for their encouragement and support in the creation of this new program.  I also want to thank all the stakeholders – legal aid programs and representatives of both landlords and tenants – who have worked hard to develop a program that will work for everyone,” he concluded.  
 
The Housing Conditions Calendar will be heard by Judge Melvin Wright, Deputy Presiding Judge of the Court’s Civil Division.  Judge Wright has worked closely with all the various stakeholders to develop an approach that is efficient, fair and easily accessible by all tenants, especially those not represented by counsel.  The forms required for the Housing Conditions calendar were designed to be ‘user friendly’ and the fee is $15. The forms can be found at www.dccourts.gov/housingconditions.