Alfredo Vasquez
An experienced civil attorney, Alfredo works closely with clients from a wide range of backgrounds. His pragmatic approach and determined advocacy have resulted in successful outcomes for clients inside and outside the courtroom. He is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Recent Highlights
D.C. Rewrites the Rule on Rental Fees: What Landlords Need to Know
The D.C. Council recently enacted the Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act of 2026, which took effect on August 14, 2026. The act rewrites the District's rule on which fees a housing provider may charge a tenant. It reaches charges such as utility surcharges, lock charges, trash fees, and “administrative” line items from third-party billing companies when they cover services the housing provider must already supply.
How Much Can a Landlord Hold as a Security Deposit in Washington, DC?
A D.C. housing provider cannot hold more than one month of rent as security deposit, according to newly clarified rules.
The D.C. Rental Housing Commission (the “Commission”), the body charged with reviewing appeals from the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), recently held that a second month's rent collected as “last month's rent,” and held as security for the lease, counts as a security deposit.
What D.C. Landlords Should Know Before Withholding a Security Deposit: Recent Changes to the Law
The D.C. Council recently enacted the Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act of 2026, which changes D.C. security deposit law for landlords in Washington, DC. The Act took effect on August 14, 2026. It codified the deadlines for landlords to return the security deposit, and added new requirements landlords must meet before withholding the security deposit and sending the tenant's account to collections.