District of Columbia Court of Appeals August 26, 1982, 81-1056 (Hines v. John B. Sharkey Co.)

FERREN, Associate Judge:

This case presents one question: whether under Super. Ct. L & T R. 5(b) a tenant-defendant in a landlord’s action for possession may counterclaim for a rent abatement-based on housing code violations — not only for the period for which the landlord claims nonpayment of rent, but also for a prior period of the tenancy.