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
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 Disclosure to New and Existing Tenants (English) (Spanish)
Form 5 - Notice of Tenant Rights Regarding Housing Provider Disclosure Forms
Form 6 - Tenant's Notice to Housing Provider of Elderly or Disabled Status (English) (Spanish)
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)
Other Rental Accommodations Information
New Rent Registration Process Fact Sheet [PDF]