Rent Control

The rent control law is the Rental Housing Act of 1985 (DC Law 6-10) as amended (the Act), which is codified at DC Official Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. Under the Act, an apartment building or apartment complex is called a housing accommodation, and a single apartment or house is called a rental unit. A renter is simply called the tenant, but the landlord is called the housing provider.

The Rental Accommodations Division (RAD) administers the Act.

The Act applies to all rental housing accommodations in the District of Columbia. Certain parts of the Act, such as eviction protections, apply to all District tenants. Title II of the Act is rent stabilization, which applies to any non-exempt rental unit. All rental units must be registered with the RAD either as subject to rent control or exempt from rent control. For any unit that is not registered with RAD, rent control automatically applies.

The most common exemptions from rent control are for rental units that are:

Federally or District-subsidized
Built after 1975
Owned by a natural person (i.e., not a corporation) who owns no more than four rental units in the District
Vacant when the Act took effect

Important Rental Accommodations Division Update

RentRegistry is Open!

Beginning Monday, June 2, 2025, DHCD will not accept the following paper forms: Forms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 23.

Rental Accommodations Forms

Form 1 - RAD Registration or Claim of Exemption for Housing Accommodation Form (English) (Español/Instrucciones) (አማርኛ / መመሪያዎች) (中文 / 指示) (Français/Instructions) (Korean)

Form 2 - Amended Registration Form (English) (Español/Instrucciones) (አማርኛ / መመሪያዎች) (中文 / 指示) (Français/Instructions) (Korean)

Form 3 - Housing Provider’s Disclosure to Applicant or Tenant (English) (Español/Instrucciones) (አማርኛ / መመሪያዎች) (中文 / 指示) (Français/Instructions) (Korean)

Form 4 - Rent History Disclosure for All Rental Units (English) (Español/Instrucciones) (አማርኛ / መመሪያዎች) (中文 / 指示) (Français/Instructions) (Korean)

Form 5 - Notice of Access to Records (English) (Español/Instrucciones) (አማርኛ / መመሪያዎች) (中文 / 指示) (Français/Instructions) (Korean)

Form 6 - Tenant's Notice to Housing Provider of Elderly or Disabled Status

Form 7 - There is no longer a Form 7.

Form 8 - Housing Provider’s Notice to Tenant of Adjustment in Rent Charged

Form 9 - Certificate of Rent Adjustment (English) (Español/Instrucciones) (አማርኛ / መመሪያዎች) (中文 / 指示) (Français/Instructions) (Korean)

Form 10 - Notice of Nonpayment of Rent and Possible Eviction (English) (Español/Instrucciones)

Form 11 - Please contact the Rental Accommodations Division on 202-442-9505 for assistance.

Form 12 - 90 Day Notice to Vacate for Personal Use and Occupancy (English) (Español)

Form 13 - 90 Day Notice to Vacate for Personal Use and Occupancy of Contract Purchaser (English) (Español)

Form 14 - 120 Day Notice to Vacate for Renovations or Alterations (English) (Español)

Form 15 - 180 Day Notice to Vacate for Demolition (English) (Español)