Opinion ID: 2111782
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Remedies of Retaliatory Action

Text: Where the Administrator determines that a landlord has taken retaliatory action, as defined in Section 1.10(cc) of the Act, against a tenant, the Administrator may: (a) Order the landlord to refrain from taking or continuing such retaliatory action provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to require any landlord or tenant in any action for eviction in the Superior Court to adjudicate the issue of retaliation before the Administrator instead of before such court; and (b) Refer the matter to the Corporation Counsel for prosecution under Section 215(b) of the Act. [Regulations of the District of Columbia Rental Accommodations Commission, DCRR § 10.10 (spec. ed. Feb. 1977).] This Regulation gives the Rent Administrator the power to order the landlord to cease any retaliatory action. The Commission argues that the regulation is practically ineffectual because there is no statutory grant of authority to enforce an order under subsection (a). We cannot agree with the Commission's conclusion. The statutory grant of authority to the Administrator and the Commission include the power to order a landlord to refrain from retaliatory action. In particular, D.C.Code 1978 Supp., § 45-1673, authorizes either the Administrator or the Commission to commence a civil action to enforce any rule or decision. The power is analogous to the subpoena power granted to the Commission and the Administrator. See D.C.Code 1978 Supp., § 45-1632. Under § 45-1632(c)(1), power is expressly granted to require by subpoena or otherwise the attendance and testimony of .. witnesses. In the case of refusal to obey a subpoena, § 45-1632(c)(2) provides that the Administrator or Commission may request the Superior Court to order compliance with the subpoena. We hold that the Commission erred as a matter of law in concluding that it had no statutory authority to enforce its orders. In addition, we are aware of no law, and none has been cited to us, to indicate that a trial de novo is required to impose the penalties prescribed by § 10.10(a) of the Regulations and by D.C. Code 1978 Supp., § 45-1655(b). [6] We conclude that the Administrator was required to make a factual finding regarding the petitioner's allegations as to the landlord's retaliatory action and his findings would be reviewable by the Commission. As the Commission admits that it did not decide this issue, we remand for a ruling by the Commission and the Administrator, as necessary. [7]