Official Law Citation: The requirement to provide residential tenants with specific rights documentation is mandated by various sections of the District of Columbia Code, notably requiring the Tenant Bill of Rights per D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(L)Preview unavailable and comprehensive unit disclosures under D.C. Code § 42-3502.22Preview unavailable.

Primarily established by the Rental Housing Act of 1985 and subsequent amendments, the District enforces a comprehensive set of mandatory tenant disclosures. Handing a tenant the keys without providing the correct standardized pamphlets and addendums can invalidate an eviction attempt, expose the landlord to fines from the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), and trigger significant civil liabilities.

Crucial District-Mandated Disclosures

Before or immediately at the time a lease is signed, a D.C. landlord must provide the following:

1. D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights Package

Per D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(L)Preview unavailable, landlords must provide the prospective tenant with a complete copy of the Washington D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights Package published by the Office of the Tenant Advocate (§ 42-3531.07(8)). This comprehensive package includes the Bill of Rights pamphlet and the voter registration packet developed by the D.C. Board of Elections (per § 42-3502.22(b)(1B)). The tenant must acknowledge receipt of this document.

2. Rent Control and Base Rent Disclosure

For properties subject to Rent Stabilization (generally units built before 1976), the landlord must execute a specific disclosure (often RAD Form 3) per D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(A)-(E)Preview unavailable outlining:

• The unit's rent-controlled or exempt status.
• The current, legally registered rent for that exact unit.
• A 3-year rent history (provided upon request).
• Whether the property claims a specific exemption from Rent Control.

3. Move-in Inspection Report

Per 14 DCMR § 310.2, a landlord cannot legally retain a portion of a security deposit for damages unless they provided the tenant with a copy of the inspection report within five (5) business days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) after the inspection.

Structural and Safety Disclosures

1. Federal Lead-Based Paint

If the residential property was constructed prior to 1978, federal law mandates the landlord attach an EPA-approved Lead Hazard Information pamphlet, explicitly disclosing any known presence of lead-based paint on the premises.

2. D.C. Lead Disclosure Form

Beyond the federal mandate, D.C. Code § 8-231.04Preview unavailable and 42 U.S.C. § 4852d require landlords of pre-1978 properties to provide the Federal Lead Warning Statement, the EPA "Protect Your Family" pamphlet, and the D.C. Lead Disclosure Form. Providing these statutory forms is mandatory for pre-1978 buildings.

3. Mold and Indoor Air Quality

Per D.C. Code § 42-3502.22(b)(1)(K)Preview unavailable, landlords must disclose information known about indoor mold contamination in the unit or common areas within the previous 3 years.

4. Bed Bugs

Prior to lease signing, a landlord must provide notice of any bedbug infestation in the building within the previous 120 days using the form promulgated by the Department of Buildings, pursuant to D.C. Code § 42-3551.02(b)Preview unavailable.

Automate Your Addendums

Forgetting the D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights package or the local Lead Warning Statement can instantly destroy a landlord's legal standing in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Landager allows you to integrate mandatory D.C. disclosure packets directly into the digital signature workflow, guaranteeing every tenant receives and signs off on every statutory mandate.

manage your D.C. lease signing with LandagerPreview unavailable

How Landager Helps

Landager tracks lease terms, required forms storage, and compliance tracking - making it easy to stay compliant with District of Columbia regulations.

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