Owner Sentenced To Live in His Own Slum Property

WASHINGTON, DC-Managers and owners of substandard multifamily housing may be compelled to change their ways now that designated “slumlord” Rufus Stancil has been sentenced to spend 60 days living in one of his buildings that has been deemed unfit for habitation. Stancil’s refusal to bring up to code three buildings on the District’s “Hot Properties List”–a roster of the 30 most dilapidated housing structures selected by District housing inspectors–led to his pleading guilty to 70 city building code violations.

“The city has made significant progress negotiating with landlords for the rehabilitation of buildings with substandard conditions,” Mayor Anthony Williams notes in a statement on Stancil’s sentencing. “However, as the Stancil case demonstrates, we are committed to doggedly pursuing offenders to ensure that District tenants are protected.” Rufus begins serving time at 2922 Sherman Avenue, NW on Christmas Eve, after having completed two weeks of jail time.