Rent Control in Washington DC

Last updated: January 2026

A comprehensive guide to the DC Rental Housing Act, rent stabilization, and tenant protections.

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1. Overview of Washington DC Rent Control

The District of Columbia has a comprehensive Rental Housing Act of 1985 (DC Law 6-10) as amended, which provides rent stabilization and tenant protection for residential rental units. The Act is codified at DC Official Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. and is administered by the Rental Accommodations Division (RAD) of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

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 called the tenant, and the landlord is called the housing provider.

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.

This article is a high‑level guide based on public resources such as the DC Department of Housing and Community Development's Rent Control page and the DC Official Code. It is not legal advice.

2. Who Is Covered by DC Rent Control?

The Rental Housing Act applies to all rental housing accommodations in the District of Columbia. However, there are several important exemptions from rent control:

• Federally or District-subsidized units – Rental units that receive federal or District government subsidies are generally exempt from rent control.
• Buildings constructed after 1975 – Rental units in buildings constructed after 1975 are generally exempt from rent control.
• Small property owners – Rental units owned by a natural person (i.e., not a corporation) who owns no more than four rental units in the District are generally exempt from rent control.
• Units vacant when the Act took effect – Rental units that were vacant when the Rental Housing Act took effect are generally exempt from rent control.

Important: All rental units must be registered with the Rental Accommodations Division (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.

Tools like RentCheckMe can help you check whether your building is likely covered based on its construction year and property type.

3. Rent Registration Requirement

All rental units must be registered with the Rental Accommodations Division (RAD) either as subject to rent control or exempt from rent control. This registration requirement is mandatory for all housing providers in the District.

RentRegistry is the online system for registration. Beginning Monday, June 2, 2025, DHCD will not accept certain paper forms (Forms 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, and 23) and requires online registration through RentRegistry.

If a unit is not registered with RAD, rent control automatically applies to that unit, regardless of whether it would otherwise be exempt. This makes registration critical for both tenants and housing providers.

4. Annual Rent Adjustments

For rental units covered by rent control, the Rental Housing Act provides for annual rent adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Washington metropolitan area.

The RAD publishes the annual rent adjustment percentage each year. Housing providers must follow specific procedures and provide proper notice to tenants before implementing any rent increase.

Key requirements for rent increases:

• Housing providers must provide tenants with proper written notice before implementing a rent increase.
• Rent increases must comply with the annual adjustment limits set by RAD.
• Tenants have the right to challenge rent increases through the tenant petition process.

5. Eviction Protections

The Rental Housing Act includes eviction protections that apply to all District tenants, regardless of whether their unit is subject to rent control. These protections require housing providers to have a valid legal reason (just cause) for evicting a tenant.

Housing providers must follow specific procedures and provide proper notice when seeking to evict a tenant. Tenants have rights to challenge evictions and may be entitled to relocation assistance in certain circumstances.

6. Required Forms and Disclosures

The Rental Accommodations Division requires housing providers to use specific forms for various purposes, including:

• Form 1 – RAD Registration or Claim of Exemption for Housing Accommodation
• Form 2 – Amended Registration Form
• Form 3 – Housing Provider's Disclosure to Applicant or Tenant
• Form 4 – Rent History Disclosure for All Rental Units
• Form 8 – Housing Provider's Notice to Tenant of Adjustment in Rent Charged
• Form 9 – Certificate of Rent Adjustment

Many of these forms are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, French, and Korean.

7. Tenant Petitions and Complaints

Tenants have the right to file petitions and complaints with the Rental Accommodations Division if they believe their housing provider has violated the Rental Housing Act. This includes:

• Form 23 – Tenant Petition Complaint (for challenging rent increases or other violations)
• Form 24 – Tenant Payment Plan Complaint (for issues related to payment plans)

Tenants should contact RAD at (202) 442-9505 for assistance with filing petitions or complaints.

8. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources

By combining our automated check with trusted resources like the DC Department of Housing and Community Development's Rent Control page and the DC Official Code Title 42, Chapter 35, you can get both a quick snapshot and deeper, individualized help for your situation.

After you run an address through RentCheckMe, consider saving the result and bringing it with you if you contact the Rental Accommodations Division or consult with a tenant counselor or attorney—they can help you interpret how the Rental Housing Act applies to your specific tenancy.

Remember: The most definitive way to determine if your unit is covered by rent control is to check whether it is registered with RAD. If a unit is not registered, rent control automatically applies.

9. Important Disclaimer

This article is intended as a readable, high‑level overview of rent control in Washington DC, drawn from public resources like the DC Department of Housing and Community Development's Rent Control page and the DC Official Code. It does not cover every exception or nuance and does not constitute legal advice.

Laws change, and how they apply can depend on the specific facts of your tenancy. For binding guidance about your rights or obligations, speak with the Rental Accommodations Division at (202) 442-9505, a qualified attorney, or a tenant‑counseling organization.

Frequently Asked Questions