- Over 1K households will receive $29.8M in rent refunds for enduring unsafe living conditions.
- The $41M ruling is the largest housing conditions judgment in DC history.
- Tenants lived for years with mold, leaks, and broken utilities, despite court orders to repair.
- The decision sends a strong message to property owners who fail to maintain habitable housing.
Years of Neglect, Finally Addressed
Attorney General Schwalb secured a $41M judgment against former owners of DC’s Marbury Plaza in Ward 8, reports OAG. The property, now renamed Langston Views, was home to 2,500 residents who faced severe health and safety violations over several years.
OAG’s lawsuit revealed shocking conditions throughout the complex. Mold was found in nearly all apartments and common areas. Residents also faced chronic plumbing and HVAC failures, pest infestations, and a persistent lack of basic utilities like hot water and heat.
Court Orders Restitution And Penalties
In a decisive ruling, the DC Superior Court ordered:
- $29.8M in rent restitution to tenants.
- $11.1M in civil penalties and legal fees to the District.
The court said the ruling warns landlords that ongoing neglect and defiance of the law will not be tolerated.
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A Hard-Fought Victory
Tenant leader Barbara Cooper, president of the Langston Views Tenant Association, described the years-long struggle as both a long and necessary fight for justice. Cooper and other residents worked alongside the Attorney General’s office and Legal Aid attorneys to document conditions and build their case.
“This is a significant and historic victory,” said AG Schwalb. “Every Washingtonian deserves a safe, healthy place to call home.”
Background And Legal Action
In 2021, OAG sued MP PPH LLC and Dr. Pilavas after conditions at Marbury Plaza reached crisis levels. The court issued a consent order in 2022 requiring urgent repairs—but the defendants failed to comply. OAG then successfully obtained a contempt ruling, leading to a 50% rent abatement for tenants, totaling more than $5M in relief even before this final judgment.
In 2024, a summary judgment not only confirmed the owners’ liability but also firmly set the stage for the court’s historic restitution order.
What’s Next
OAG will now work to collect the full judgment from the defendants, who are jointly liable. An additional $1.1M has already been recovered from a former property manager and will be distributed to affected tenants.
Langston Views is under new ownership as residents and officials hope the change brings lasting improvements and stronger accountability.
Overall, this case further strengthens DC’s tenant protection efforts and clearly signals that ignoring habitability standards brings serious financial consequences.
Why It Matters
Tenant rights enforcement is gaining momentum across major US cities. This case sets a national precedent for how cities can hold landlords accountable—not just with repair mandates, but with financial justice for those forced to live in unsafe conditions.
