Migliaccio & Rathod is currently investigating complaints of unlivable conditions from D.C. residents at Potomac Gardens (“The Gardens”) located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of SE DC. These renters report that the apartment complex is regularly and persistently littered with unresolved DC housing code violations including mold, flooded and leaky units, gaps in walls, and infestations of critters. They raise concerns about roaches, rats, mice, and other pests which pose basic habitability issues. Despite many independent complaints to management, they say that not only has nothing been done, but also there is no indication from management that there will be anything done to address the inhabitable conditions. Residents of the Gardens believe there could be even more problems than those documented in complaints but, for fear of retaliation, some residents may be hesitant to speak out.
Unfortunately, such conditions are common among DC housing complexes. In fact, tenants, advocates, and journalists have been documenting the failures at the D.C. Department of Regulatory and Consumer Affairs—the agency in charge of inspecting properties and generally ensuring housing is safe and habitable for tenants. Indeed, a 2018 report from the Office of the DC Auditor found the current regulatory system allows landlords to delay necessary repairs and remediations “and keep[s] District residents in substandard housing conditions for extended periods.” Consumer Protection laws can be a tool to stop unfair and deceptive housing practices the city is unable to prevent alone.
Are you a resident of the Gardens, or any other housing complex in the District of Columbia, subject to inhabitable conditions including mold, flooding, or infestations?
If so, we would like to speak with you. Please complete the questionnaire below, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call at (202) 470-3520 for more information.
Committed to Consumer Protection
The lawyers at Migliaccio & Rathod LLP have years of experience in class action litigation against large corporations, including in cases involving unfair and deceptive trade practices. More information about our current cases and investigations is available on our blog.