Rent control. It sounds like something out of a government manual you accidentally dropped in your soup. Dry, confusing, and full of enough legalese to put a roomful of attorneys to sleep. But if you own rental property in Washington, D.C., you don’t get the luxury of ignoring it. It’s not optional, it’s law. And like any law, rent control comes with strings attached—big ones.
Don’t worry though. We’re here to snip those strings one by one and make the whole compliance thing feel a lot less like navigating a labyrinth and more like taking a guided tour. With snacks.
Let’s unravel the mystery together, shall we?
What Is Rent Control in D.C.?
Think of rent control as the city’s way of saying, “Hey, we love landlords, but we love affordable housing, too.” Enacted under the Rental Housing Act of 1985, D.C.’s rent control laws regulate how much you can raise the rent on certain residential properties, and under what conditions, though the effectiveness is often questioned .
Here are the key components of D.C.'s rent control laws:
1. Who’s Covered?
Not all rental properties are subject to rent control. Properties are exempt if:
They were built after 1975
They’re owned by a natural person (not an LLC or corporation) who owns four or fewer properties in D.C.
They receive certain federal or local subsidies
Still with us? Good. If your property is covered, read on…
2. Rent Increases: A Delicate Dance
Whether your property is subject to rent control or exempt, D.C. only allows one rent increase per unit every 12 months. For rent-controlled properties, that increase must follow a formula tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) (for the elderly or disabled) plus 2% (for all other residents) and requires:
At least a 30-day written notice
Proper registration with the Rental Accommodations Division (RAD)
Skipping any of these steps can put you out of compliance—and on DCRA’s radar.
3. Hardship Petitions & Capital Improvements
You can apply to raise rent above the CPI cap if you:
Make qualifying capital improvements
Show a financial hardship
However, these applications are complex and often require coordination with external experts to navigate successfully. It’s not a quick process, and it’s definitely not for the unprepared.
How EJF Makes It Easy (and Darn Near Effortless)
We know the rent control regs like the back of our hands (which, by the way, are typing this blog as we speak). Here’s how EJF Rentals keeps our clients ahead of the curve and out of the courtroom.
1. We Know Who’s In and Who’s Out
Our first move? We figure out if your property is even subject to rent control. We do a full review of your property, so you don’t have to scratch your head wondering if that exemption you heard about at a dinner party actually applies.
2. We Handle the Registration
Trying to register your property with RAD solo can quickly become a paperwork nightmare. We do it for you, correctly and on time.
3. We Set the Right Rent (Legally!)
Rent increases are tricky. Raise it too much, and you might be out of compliance. Too little, and you’re leaving money on the table. We can help crunch the CPI numbers, ensure the notices are drafted and sent correctly, making sure everything complies with the law—so you get every dollar you’re entitled to.
4. We File Petitions (When It Makes Sense)
Need to explore a hardship or capital improvement petition? We help guide the process and connect you with the resources you need to give your application the best possible chance. It's a path we tread carefully and strategically.
5. We Keep the Records (So You Don’t Have To)
D.C. requires landlords to keep specific records to prove compliance. At EJF, we document everything like the rent control nerds we are. No shoebox full of receipts required.
6. We Stay Ahead of Changes
Rent control laws evolve. Our team monitors D.C. Council legislation, RAD memos, and housing regulation updates like it’s our full-time job. (Spoiler: It is.) When something shifts, we adapt your strategy faster than you can say "CPI adjustment."
But Wait, There’s More: The Perks of Partnering With EJF Rentals
Managing a rental property in D.C. is not for the faint of heart. Between tenant issues, maintenance requests, and rent control compliance, it can feel like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle uphill. Why not pass the torch?
Here are a few more reasons why EJF Rentals is the go-to for savvy property owners:
Full-service management: From leasing to maintenance, we do it all
Local expertise: We live and breathe the D.C. rental market
Dedicated support: No robots. Just real people who know your name and your property.
So, Ready to Ditch the Rent Control Headaches?
You don’t need to memorize Chapter 35 of the D.C. Municipal Regulations to be a great landlord. You just need a great partner. And that’s where we come in.
Hiring a property manager takes the guesswork, stress, and late-night legal research out of rent control compliance. So kick back, relax, and let EJF Rentals do the heavy lifting.
Call Conrad today at 202.803.7200 to learn how our expert team can take care of all your property management needs!
Let’s make rent control compliance one less thing to worry about.
Cheers,
Your friends at EJF Rentals
