Rent control rules in District of Columbia, DC — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
DC has one of the nation's oldest and strongest rent stabilization programs under the Rental Housing Act of 1985 (DC Code section 42-3501.01 et seq.). Buildings built before 1976 with 5 or more units are covered. 2024-2025 annual increase cap is CPI-W plus 2 percent (maximum 6 percent, or 4 percent for elderly/disabled tenants).
DC's rent stabilization program is administered by the Rental Accommodations Division (RAD) within the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Covered units must register annually. The annual allowable increase is tied to the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria CPI-W plus 2 percent, capped at 10 percent generally and 5 percent for elderly or disabled tenants, though the Council has temporarily lowered caps to 6 percent and 4 percent respectively through 2025. Exempt buildings include those built after December 31, 1975, federally subsidized buildings, and small landlords owning 4 or fewer rental units who filed for exemption. Vacancy increases are capped at 10 percent (or 30 percent with comparability showing). Capital improvement, hardship, and services-and-facilities petitions allow above-cap increases only with RAD approval. Tenants may challenge increases at the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), and the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) interacts with any sale of covered buildings.
Unlawful rent increase: tenant petition to OAH, refund with interest and treble damages possible. Failure to register: $500 civil fine plus loss of right to raise rent. Willful TOPA violation: up to $10,000 plus voiding of sale under DC Code 42-3404.04.
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