discover DC....  DC OFFICE OF TENANT ADVOCACY OTA Bill Of Rights

District of Columbia Tenant Bill of Rights
District of Columbia Office of the Tenant Advocate
(202) 719-6560 or www.ota.dc.gov

The District of Columbia Tenant-Landlord relationship is established by a contract giving both the District Tenant and the District Landlord certain rights and obligations promoting available, affordable and quality rental housing in the District . The District of Columbia Tenant is entitled to safe, decent, and sanitary housing; the District of Columbia Landlord, at minimum, is entitled to the timely payment of rent. The District of Columbia has laws helping District Tenant’s benefit from his or her lease, a housing contract, with their Landlord.

1.  THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO A DISTRICT COMPLIANT LEASE

2. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO A DISTRICT COMPLIANT  LEASE WITHOUT CLAUSES PROHIBITED BY DISTRICT LAWS

3. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO A DISTRICT COMPLIANT LEASE WITH COMPLETE DISCLOSURE OF THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION

4. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE RECEIPTS FOR RENTAL PAYMENTS

5. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO CONTROLLED RENT OR RENT CONTROL ACCORDING TO DISTRICT LAWS

6. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT BEING RETURNED WITH INTEREST AND  IN ACCORDANCE WITH DISTRICT LAWS 

7. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED YOUR LEASE BEING TERMINATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DISTRICT LAWS

8. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO QUIET ENJOYMENT OF YOUR LIVING SPACE

9. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO LIVE IN SAFE AND SANITARY BUILDING CONDITIONS

10. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION

11. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO PROTECTION FROM RETALIATION

12. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE

13. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO PROTECTION FROM CONVERSION WITHOUT MAJORITY APPROVAL

14. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO PURCHASE YOUR LIVING SPACE

15. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

16. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA TENANT IS ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL PROCESS FOR EVICTION

This Tenant Bill of Rights is not a substitute for legal advice. All the rights above apply to each and every tenant in the District except for rent control. The District of Columbia’s Tenant Protection Laws do you little if you do not know your Rights or exercise them.

LET US KNOW IF YOUR LANDLORD VIOLATES YOUR RIGHTS

District of Columbia Office of the Tenant Advocate
1250 U Street N.W.  4th Floor     
Washington DC 20009
(202) 719-6560 
www.ota.dc.gov