Nonredeemable judgments for possession — Are they legal?

In the decades that I have practiced law, beginning with Law Students in Court, I have always understood that a nonredeemable judgment for possession in a non-payment of rent case, was both contrary to law and public policy.  In cases other than nonpayment of rent, a nonredeemable judgment for possession may be consistent with law.  Lately, however, I understand that some Judges in the Landlord and Tenant Branch of D.C. Superior Court have been awarding nonredeemable judgments for possession in nonpayment of rent cases. And, recently, the issue came up when a cooperative unit owner, sued for possession for nonpayment of the cooperative fees and assessments, was faced with a nonredeemable judgment for possession. This is a very important issue, and subscribers to Living With The Law will have access to a three-part series, beginning this month, addressing that issue. Look for the series in Hot News.