District of Columbia Statewide Rule

Washington, D.C. Has Rent Control Under the Rental Housing Act of 1985

Heavy RestrictionsApplies statewide across District of Columbia (2026)

Washington, D.C. has rent control ("rent stabilization") under the Rental Housing Act of 1985 (D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq.). For most covered units, annual rent increases are capped at the CPI-W plus 2%, but no more than 10%. For elderly tenants (62+) and tenants with disabilities, the cap is far lower (no more than 5%).

Key Facts

Local rent control: In effect (Rental Housing Act of 1985)
Annual increase cap: CPI-W + 2%, max 10% (5% for elderly 62+ and disabled tenants)
Statute: D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq.; §§ 42-3502.08, 42-3502.24
Covered units: Generally buildings built before 1976; small landlords and newer buildings exempt

Last verified: 2026-06-27

Full Breakdown

The Rental Housing Act of 1985, D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq., generally covers rental buildings built before 1976, while newer buildings, owner-occupied units of four or fewer, and units owned by small landlords are exempt. Under D.C. Code § 42-3502.08, the standard annual increase for an occupied unit is the "adjustment of general applicability plus 2%," with a hard ceiling that "the total adjustment shall not exceed 10%." Rent may not be raised until 12 full months have passed since the last increase. For elderly tenants (age 62+) and tenants with disabilities, D.C. Code § 42-3502.24 limits increases to the least of the general adjustment, the Social Security COLA, or 5% of the rent charged.

Violations & Penalties

Charging rent above the allowable adjustment, or raising rent without the required registration and notice, is a rent-control violation. Tenants may file a petition with the D.C. Rental Accommodations Division or the Office of Administrative Hearings; remedies include rent rollbacks, refunds of overcharges, and treble damages for willful violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there rent control in Washington, D.C.?

Yes. Washington, D.C. has rent control (rent stabilization) under the Rental Housing Act of 1985, D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. It applies to most rental buildings built before 1976; newer buildings and units owned by small landlords are exempt.

How much can rent increase under D.C. rent control?

For most covered units, the annual increase is capped at the CPI-W plus 2%, but never more than 10% (D.C. Code § 42-3502.08). For elderly tenants (62+) and tenants with disabilities, the increase cannot exceed 5% (D.C. Code § 42-3502.24).

Which units are covered by D.C. rent control?

Rent control generally covers rental buildings built before 1976. Exemptions include newer buildings, federally subsidized units, owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, and units owned by small landlords, under the Rental Housing Act of 1985.

Sources

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