Housing Problems in District of Columbia

DC's Rental Housing Act covers most units built before 1975 owned by landlords with five or more units. Covered landlords may only increase rent annually by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate, with a maximum of 10% per year. Additional increases above CPI require petitioning the Rent Administrator with justification.

TOPA gives DC tenants the right to purchase their rental unit before the landlord can sell it to a third party. When a landlord decides to sell, they must notify tenants and provide them with an opportunity to make an offer. Tenants may also assign their TOPA rights to a third party or housing organization.

Yes. DC enacted strong just-cause eviction protections (effective 2021) that require landlords to have a legally recognized reason to terminate any covered tenancy. Landlords cannot simply decline to renew a lease without cause. Permitted reasons include nonpayment of rent, lease violations, and specific no-fault grounds such as owner move-in (with notice and relocation assistance).

DC landlords must return security deposits within 45 days of lease termination, with an itemized statement of deductions. Landlords must also pay interest on deposits held for more than one year. The deposit is capped at one month's rent.