Sec. 53A-6. Conversion of rental housing.

   (a)    Notice of conversion. An owner must not convert rental housing unless the owner notified each tenant in the rental housing at least 120 days before converting the building. Before renting to a prospective tenant during this 120-day period, the owner must notify the prospective tenant about the conversion.

   (b)    Termination of lease. A tenant who receives a notice of conversion may terminate a lease without penalty at least 30 days after notifying the owner in writing.

   (c)    Tenant relocation assistance. The owner must pay a tenant relocation assistance equal to 2 months’ rent if the tenant moves out of the rental housing within 180 days after the tenant received the notice of conversion required by subsection (a). The owner must pay the relocation assistance not more than 10 days after the owner received the tenants’ notice of termination under subsection (b). (1990 L.M.C., ch. 34, § 1; 2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1.)

Sec. 53A-7. Certificate of compliance.

   The Department must issue a certificate of compliance for rental housing to the owner, the buyer, or any other interested party, in a form appropriate for recordation in the land records, when the Department determines that the requirements of this Chapter have been satisfied. The certificate is conclusive evidence of compliance with this Chapter. (1990 L.M.C., ch. 34, § 1; 1996 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1; 2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1.)

   Editor’s note—Section 53A-7, formerly § 53A-6, was renumbered and amended pursuant to 2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, §1.

Sec. 53A-8. Complaints.

   Any person harmed by an owner, buyer, tenant organization, or any other person who violates this Chapter may file a written complaint with the Department. (1990 L.M.C., ch. 34, § 1; 1996 L.M.C., ch. 13, § 1; 2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1.)

   Editor’s note—Section 53A-8, formerly § 53A-7, was renumbered and amended pursuant to 2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1.

Sec. 53A-9. Enforcement.

   (a)   The Department may enforce this Chapter by:

      (1)   investigating any alleged violation;

      (2)   issuing a summons or subpoena to compel the attendance of a person or the production of documents or other evidence;

      (3)   enjoining a violation;

      (4)   revoking a rental license issued under Chapter 29;

      (5)   reporting a violation to any other appropriate government agency;

      (6)   informal conciliation between a complainant and an alleged violator;

      (7)   dismissing a complaint when the Director of the Department determines that there is insufficient evidence of a violation;

      (8)   obtaining injunctive or other appropriate judicial relief, such as an order to:

         (A)   require compliance with a summons or a subpoena;

         (B)   require an alleged violator or witness to attend a Department meeting or other proceeding concerning the alleged violation;

         (C)   require production of documents or other evidence;

         (D)   require transfer of documents or other evidence to the Court; or

         (E)   prohibit the destruction of documents or other evidence;

      (9)   recovering costs and fees of an investigation or a lawsuit if the Department finds a violation occurred, and prevails in any appeal;

      (10)   ordering any appropriate financial, legal, or equitable relief to a tenant or tenant organization injured by a violation of this Chapter;

      (11)   any other applicable enforcement action that the Department could take to enforce a violation of Chapter 11 (Consumer Protection) or Chapter 29 (Landlord-Tenant Relations), under the procedure provided in the respective Chapter;

      (12)   developing, conducting, or assisting in educational and information programs concerning the requirements of this Chapter; and

      (13)   adopting regulations to implement this Chapter.

   (b)   Any sale of rental housing in violation of this Chapter is void.

   (c)   This Chapter does not limit any other legal right available to a person. (2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1.)

Sec. 53A-10. Penalties.

   A violation of this Chapter or a regulation adopted under this Chapter is a class A violation. A violation may be punished as a separate violation for each unit in the rental housing affected by the violation for each day the violation exists. (1990 L.M.C., ch. 34, § 1; 2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1.)

   Editor’s note—Section 53A-10, formerly § 53A-8, was renumbered, amended and retitled pursuant to 2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1. Former § 53A-10, which was derived from 1990 L.M.C., ch. 34, § 1; 1995 L.M.C., ch. 6, § 1; 2000 L.M.C., ch. 17, § 1; 2001 L.M.C., ch. 12, § 1; and 2001 L.M.C., ch. 31, § 1, was repealed pursuant to 2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1.

Sec. 53A-11. Annual reports to the Council.

   By February 1 of each year, the County Executive must report to the Council on activities under this Chapter for the prior calendar year, including:

   (a)   any offer of a right of first refusal received by the County;

   (b)   any agreement not to convert that the Department approved; and

   (c)   conversion of rental housing in the County. (1990 L.M.C., ch. 34, § 1; 2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1.)

   Editor’s note—Section 53A-11, formerly § 53A-9, was renumbered and amended pursuant to 2001 L.M.C., ch. 32, § 1.