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.
- 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
The Rental Housing Commission finalized Rent Stabilization Program regulations for the Rental Housing Act of 1985 (Act) (D.C. Official Code 2001 ed., as amended, sect. 42-3501.01 et seq.). The rules were published in volume 68, number 49 of the District of Columbia Register on December 3, 2021 and may be viewed at Search - DCRegs. The new rules will go into effect on December 31, 2021. The rulemaking implements rules under the Act in Title 14 (Housing) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, Chapters 38-41.
Please see the Rental Housing Commission’s website for further information and a public memorandum from the Commission’s general counsel for guidance on critical changes at Two Major Changes Coming to the District’s Rental Housing Laws | rhc (dc.gov).
The rent increase and other moratoria in effect during the declared public health emergency expired on January 1, 2022. Effective November 5, 2021, RAD no longer offers same-day service for Housing Provider’s Disclosure to Applicant (RAD Form 3), Housing Provider’s Disclosure to New and Existing Tenants (RAD Form 4), Notice of Tenant Rights Regarding Housing Provider Disclosure Forms (RAD Form 5), Housing Provider’s Notice to Tenant of Adjustment of Rent Charged (RAD Form 8), Certificate of Notice to RAD of Adjustment in Rent Charged (RAD Form 9), and all notices to vacate (collectively Notices and Disclosures) within five (5) business days of receipt. Filings of these documents must be deposited in the drop box located in the building lobby. RAD will not provide “same day service” for Notices and Disclosures submissions. After review is completed, the filing parties will be contacted for pickup options, or if filings are defective, the filing parties will be notified. A limited option to email filings is also available. For additional information, please see:
**Document Filing During Modified Operations**
Rental Accommodations Forms
Form 1 - RAD Registration Claim of Exemption Form (English) (Spanish)
Form 2 - Housing Provider’s Amended Registration Form (English) (Spanish)
Form 3 - Housing Provider’s Disclosure to Applicant (English) (Spanish)
Form 4 - Housing Provider’s Rent History Disclosure to New and Existing Tenants (English) (Spanish)
Form 5 - Notice of Access to Records
Form 6 - Tenant's Notice to Housing Provider of Elderly or Disabled Status (English) (Spanish)
Form 7 - Revised form forthcoming; contact RAD at (202) 442-7200 for form updates
Form 8 - Housing Provider’s Notice to Tenant of Adjustment in Rent Charged (English) (Spanish)
Form 9 - Certificate of Notice to RAD of Adjustment in Rent Charged (English) (Spanish)
Form 10 - 30 Day Notice to Correct or Vacate: Contact RAD at (202) 442-7200 for details on this form.
Form 11 - 30 Day Notice to Vacate for Illegal Act Performed (English) (Spanish)
Form 12 - 90 Day Notice to Vacate for Personal Use and Occupancy (English) (Spanish)
Form 13 - 90 Day Notice to Vacate for Personal Use and Occupancy of Contract Purchaser (English) (Spanish)
Form 14 - 120 Day Notice to Vacate for Renovations or Alterations (English) (Spanish)
Form 15 - 180 Day Notice to Vacate for Demolition (English) (Spanish)
Form 16 - 120 Day Notice to Vacate for Substantial Rehabilitation (English) (Spanish)
Form 17 - 180 Day Notice to Vacate for Discontinuance of Occupancy (English) (Spanish)
Form 22 - 70% Voluntary Agreement Petition (English) (Spanish)
Form 23 - Tenant Petition Complaint (English) (Spanish)
Form 24 - Tenant Payment Plan Complaint (English) (Amharic) (Chinese) (French) (Korean) (Spanish) (Vietnamese)
Other Rental Accommodations Information
Tenant Payment Plan Complaint Fact Sheet [PDF]
Rent Registration Process Fact Sheet [PDF]
Pamphlet - What You Need to Know About Rent Control [PDF]