Opinion ID: 2321014
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: DCHA is Entitled to a Judgment Based Upon its Complaint for Declaratory Judgment.

Text: Similarly, we reject appellant's final argument that DCHA is not entitled to a judgment where it has failed to state a cause of action in the Landlord and Tenant Branch of the Superior Court for a breach of the HAP contract. Specifically, appellant contends that DCHA sought to recover on a claim which is not cognizable in the Landlord and Tenant Branch of the Superior Court, and that, in essence, DCHA sought to bootstrap on their judgment, or be summarily awarded a monetary judgment, based on a potential breach of the HAP contract claim. The question of whether DCHA is permitted a judgment in this instance is a question of law, which we review de novo. See Technical Land, supra, 756 A.2d 439. After the trial court granted DCHA the right to intervene, DCHA filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment on July 15, 2003, seeking to recover the portion of the rent it paid to the landlord on behalf of the appellant. Appellant argues that DCHA's claim for a declaratory judgment arising out of a landlord and tenant relationship is not cognizable in the landlord and tenant branch. This argument incorrectly characterizes claims which can be brought in the Landlord and Tenant Branch of the Superior Court. Summary proceedings for possession of real property, claims involving personal property in the premises, and claims for money judgments based on rent arrears, may be brought in the Landlord and Tenant Branch of the Superior Court pursuant to Super. Ct. L & T R. 1 & 3. Further, Super. Ct. L & T R. 2 makes applicable in the Landlord and Tenant Branch certain Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, except where those rules would be inconsistent with the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Rules. Super. Ct. Civ. R. 57, which governs declaratory judgments, is included among the rules made applicable to, and enumerated in, Super. Ct. L & T R. 2. We do not agree with appellant that DCHA's claim for declaratory judgment is barred in the Landlord and Tenant Branch of the Superior Court. Thus, DCHA properly preserved and pursued its claim to the portion of the rent monies it paid pursuant to the Section 8 Program. Accordingly, the trial court properly limited Ms. Anderson's rent abatement to $234, the total amount of rent she paid. Ms. Anderson was not entitled to receive the portion of the abatement representing DCHA's rental payments on her behalf pursuant to the Section 8 Program. For the aforementioned reasons, the decision of the trial court is hereby Affirmed.