A long-standing rental dispute in Capitol Hill has highlighted the challenges faced by landlords when tenants refuse to comply with legal procedures. Michele Watley, a political consultant with a background in Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign, has been at the center of a controversial housing battle with her landlord, Jeffrey Levin.
Despite having not paid rent for her studio apartment since July 2023, Watley’s actions, including blocking access to property inspectors, have prolonged the conflict and prevented Levin from taking legal action to evict her.
Background of the Dispute
Watley, residing in a seven-unit Capitol Hill property, has allegedly avoided paying rent for several months, making it difficult for Jeffrey Levin, the property owner, to enforce any actions.
This issue isn’t just a typical rental disagreement—it points to broader frustrations over the tenant protection laws in Washington, D.C. that, according to advocates for housing providers, can often favor tenants to such an extent that evictions and legal actions become highly challenging.
As the issue escalated, the D.C. Department of Buildings (DOB) attempted to inspect the property on multiple occasions. However, Watley reportedly denied access to inspectors, leaving Levin unable to meet building code compliance and legal requirements for eviction proceedings. Despite repeated attempts by the DOB to gain access, the property inspectors have been denied entry between 10 and 70 times, according to agency records.
Watley’s Claims and Legal Actions
Throughout this prolonged dispute, Watley has claimed that Jeffrey Levin failed to make proper repairs to the building, even accusing him of negligence.
In a small claims court ruling, she was awarded a $10,000 judgment after presenting evidence of Levin’s failure to maintain the property. Watley’s allegations have painted a picture of systematic neglect, which she claims has forced her to remain in the property.
However, Levin has contested these claims, asserting that Watley’s actions have caused him to incur millions in losses, primarily due to unpaid rent over nearly two and a half years. He alleges that Watley’s consistent obstruction of repair attempts is a deliberate strategy to delay eviction proceedings.
The Viral Confrontation
A key moment in this rental dispute came in October 2023, when Levin and his wife were confronted by Watley in a common hallway. A viral video captured Watley allegedly chasing the Levis from the property, wielding a baseball bat. While the confrontation was unsettling, the D.C. Superior Court found that Watley was the aggressor, though no criminal charges were filed.
Ongoing Obstruction of Property Access
Levin and his attorneys argue that Watley has blocked more than 200 access attempts by both repairmen and city inspectors. One example includes more than 90 emails sent to the Department of Buildings, actively preventing inspectors from entering the unit.
Despite her ongoing legal battles, Watley has not provided a comment since backing out of a previously scheduled interview with 7News in late September. However, in emails and public statements, Watley has accused Levin and his wife of harassment, privacy invasion, and damaging her personal property.
Levin’s Financial Losses and Tenant History
Watley’s tenancy began in April 2017, when she signed a lease agreement for the 225-square-foot basement apartment at $800 per month. For the first three years of her stay, there were no issues, and no complaints were filed. But after Levin purchased the property in 2019, Watley began raising multiple complaints. These complaints resulted in over 100 building code violations, with the majority attributed to Watley’s grievances.
The Impact of Tenant Laws on Landlords
This situation highlights a growing concern among landlords about the tenancy laws in D.C., which advocates for housing providers say can heavily favor tenants in disputes. In particular, cases like Watley’s illustrate how tenants can legally delay eviction proceedings and obstruct landlords from making necessary repairs or pursuing legal action. Real estate experts warn that the tenant protection laws in the district often lead to prolonged legal battles when tenants refuse to leave or pay rent.
The Michele Watley rental dispute serves as a prime example of the complexities and frustrations faced by landlords under D.C.’s tenant protection laws.
Watley’s refusal to pay rent, coupled with her ongoing obstruction of property inspections and repair efforts, has resulted in severe financial losses for Jeffrey Levin and prolonged an already tense dispute. The case underscores the difficulty landlords face when tenants abuse legal protections, leaving landlords struggling to maintain their property and enforce lease agreements.
