§ 42–3502.15. Voluntary agreement.

(a) Pursuant to rules and procedures enacted under § 42-3502.02(a)(1), 70%, or more of the tenants of a housing accommodation may enter into a voluntary agreement with the housing provider:

(1) To establish the reasonable rent charged;

(2) To alter levels of related services and facilities; and

(3) To provide for capital improvements and the elimination of deferred maintenance (ordinary repair).

(a-1) A tenant in a unit exempt from the Rent Stabilization Program under § 42-3502.05(a) shall be permitted to comment on the provisions of a voluntary agreement and shall have their comments included in any filing of a voluntary agreement to the Rent Administrator.

(b) A housing provider, tenant, or tenant association shall file a voluntary agreement with the Rent Administrator. If approved by the Rent Administrator, the agreement shall be binding on the housing provider and on all tenants, except as specified in § 42-3502.24(i)(2). The voluntary agreement shall include:

(1) The signature of each tenant, including that of a tenant who opted out of the voluntary agreement pursuant to subsection (a-1) of this section;

(2) The number of each tenant's rental unit;

(3) The specific amount of increased rent each tenant will pay, if applicable;

(4) A statement that the agreement was entered into voluntarily without any form of coercion, as defined by subsection (e) of this section, on the part of the housing provider;

(5) An explanation of why the housing provider did not pursue a rent adjustment pursuant to §§ 42-3502.10, 42-3502.11, 42-3502.12, and 42-3502.14; and

(6) Any other information the Rent Administrator requires.

(c) Repealed.

(d) The Rent Administrator shall determine whether a voluntary agreement complies with filing requirements, was agreed to without coercion, and whether any proposed rent adjustments within a voluntary agreement are reasonable.

(e) For the purposes of this section, the term "coercion" includes the knowing circulation of inaccurate information, frequent visits or calls over the objection of that household, threat of retaliatory action, an act or threat not otherwise permitted by law which seeks to recover possession of a rental unit, increase rent, decrease services, increase the obligation of a tenant or cause undue or unavoidable inconvenience, harass or violate the privacy of the household, refusal to honor a lease provision, refusal to renew a lease or rental agreement, or other form of threat.