Housing (Tenant Rights)

This bill, the Eviction Reform Amendment Act of 2025 (B 26-0141), changes District of Columbia eviction procedures to better protect tenants and clarify landlord rights. It gives courts discretion to dismiss eviction cases lacking sufficient facts or documentation, and requires landlords seeking eviction for nonpayment to request a "protective order" at the first hearing, forcing tenants to pay rent directly into court registry until the case concludes. The bill also creates an expedited process for landlords to evict tenants involved in violent criminal activity on the premises (with a 10-day notice and 20-day court hearing), while allowing tenants who are victims of domestic violence to use police reports or protection orders as a defense. These changes directly affect tenants facing eviction and landlords seeking to regain possession of rental units.

The Displacement Prevention Amendment Act of 2025 increases the maximum amount of the District's Schedule H tax credit for renters and homeowners in four specific census tracts (73.04, 74.04, 98.04, and 104) that have high poverty rates and housing cost burdens. It allows eligible residents in these areas to claim a tax credit up to twice the current maximum, helping them offset housing costs. This targeted relief primarily affects low-income households in Ward 8 - where nearly 58% of residents are rent-burdened - and other high-risk neighborhoods. The bill aims to prevent displacement by providing immediate financial stability for residents most vulnerable to eviction.

This bill updates Washington, D.C.'s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) by requiring tenants to provide specific documentation (such as proof of job loss or medical costs) to qualify for rental assistance, with an option for an unsworn statement under penalty of perjury if documentation isn't available. It changes eviction procedures to allow courts to delay evictions for tenants with pending ERAP applications (rather than mandating a stay) and requires landlords to reschedule evictions if a tenant has an approved ERAP application covering the rent. The bill also creates a defense for tenants in eviction cases if landlords fail to follow ERAP application rules during the process.