Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Last verified: · Confidence: medium
When is rental registration or license renewal due in District of Columbia?
Short answer
Basic Business License for rental housing: 2- or 4-year term; renew from 90 days before expiry
When: Every 2 years from the license issue (every 4 years if a 4-year license was chosen); apply within the 90 days before it expires
Get a Basic Business License from DLCP before renting. Licenses run 2 or 4 years (to the last day of the month); renewal opens 90 days before expiry. One-family: $159 (2 years) or $318 (4 years); two-family: $219 or $438. Late penalties start the day after expiry ($75 at 1-30 days, another $75 at 31 days-6 months, another $200 after 6 months).
Basic Business License for rental housing: 2- or 4-year term; renew from 90 days before expiry Verified
Deadline: Every 2 years from the license issue (every 4 years if a 4-year license was chosen); apply within the 90 days before it expires
Get a Basic Business License from DLCP before renting. Licenses run 2 or 4 years (to the last day of the month); renewal opens 90 days before expiry. One-family: $159 (2 years) or $318 (4 years); two-family: $219 or $438. Late penalties start the day after expiry ($75 at 1-30 days, another $75 at 31 days-6 months, another $200 after 6 months).
Who it covers: Required for one-family rentals (houses, townhouses, condo units, rooms), two-family rentals (e.g. English basement with owner or tenant upstairs) and apartment buildings (3+ units). Apartments and two-family rentals also need a Certificate of Occupancy. Register with DHCD after DLCP issues or accepts the license.
"A Certificate of Occupancy is required for Apartments and Two Family Rentals." dlcp.dc.gov
"Licenses will now be valid from the date of issuance until the last day of the same month two or four years later, based on the license term selected by the customer at the time of application" dlcp.dc.gov
"A business license is eligbile for renewal ninety days piror to a license's expiration." dlcp.dc.gov
"Lapsed = 1 day - 30 days post expiration; $75.00 penalty assessed" dlcp.dc.gov
Notes: DLCP Housing Business page and Business Licensing FAQs (D.C. Code §§ 47-2851.02, 47-2851.03, 42-3504.02). Apartment fees are on a separate DLCP schedule (not captured). The FAQ's typos ('eligbile', 'piror') are quoted as published.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Register each rental (or file a claim of exemption) with DHCD's Rental Accommodations Division within 30 days Verified
Deadline: Within 30 days after acquiring the property or offering the unit for rent; update within 30 days after any change
Every housing provider must register the rental (or file a claim of exemption) with the Rental Accommodations Division within 30 days of acquiring it or offering it for rent, and file updates within 30 days of changes. A provider who is not licensed and registered cannot lawfully serve a notice to vacate or file for eviction.
Who it covers: All housing providers, including single-family homes and condo units offered for rent. Filed through the DC RentRegistry portal. Attach the basic business license, certificate of occupancy (2+ units) and recorded deed. Update within 30 days of any change.
"All housing providers must register their housing accommodations or rental units with the Rental Accommodations Division. A registration or claim for exemption must be filed within thirty (30) days of acquiring ownership of or offering the housing accommodation or rental unit for rent." dhcd.dc.gov
"shall file a registration statement and, if applicable, claim of exemption, within 30 days after becoming a housing provider." code.dccouncil.gov
"Before a housing provider may legally issue a notice to vacate and file a complaint for possession to evict a tenant, the property must be licensed by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection and registered with the Rental Accommodations Division." dhcd.dc.gov
Notes: D.C. Code § 42-3502.05(f); RAD Form 1 instructions (required since January 31, 2023).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Small-landlord exemption from rent stabilization: natural persons owning 4 or fewer DC rental units must file a claim of exemption (not automatic) Verified
Deadline: Ongoing requirement with no fixed date
A housing accommodation of 4 or fewer units owned by no more than 4 natural persons, who together have no interest in other DC rental units beyond that aggregate of 4, can be exempt from rent stabilization only if the provider files a claim of exemption signed by every owner. Report any change that would end the exemption within 30 days. A unit not properly registered as exempt is treated as rent controlled.
Who it covers: Exemption is only from rent stabilization (rent control). Owners must be natural persons (not an LLC, corporation or trust; a decedent's estate or testamentary trust may keep an existing exemption). Count every DC rental or cooperative unit any owner holds directly or indirectly. Registration, licensing and all other tenant protections still apply.
"any rental unit in any housing accommodation of 4 or fewer rental units, including any aggregate of 4 rental units whether within the same structure or not, provided:" code.dccouncil.gov
"The housing accommodation is owned by not more than 4 natural persons;" code.dccouncil.gov
"The housing provider of the housing accommodation files with the Rent Administrator a claim of exemption statement which consists of an oath or affirmation by the housing provider of the valid claim to the exemption." code.dccouncil.gov
"Any change in the ownership of the exempted housing accommodation or change in the housing provider’s interest in any other housing accommodation which would invalidate the exemption claim must be reported in writing to the Rent Administrator within 30 days of the change;" code.dccouncil.gov
"Check if the property owner(s) is/are natural persons (not a business entity or trust) and if the owner(s) owns/own four (4) or fewer rental units or cooperative units in the District of Columbia." dhcd.dc.gov
"If a unit is not properly registered as exempt then the unit is subject to rent control." ota.dc.gov
Notes: D.C. Code § 42-3502.05(a)(3), (a-1); RAD Form 1 instructions. The statute also says none of the providers may have an interest in 'any other rental unit' in DC; RAD reads the test as four or fewer units in total. The code notes a temporary Rental Housing Registration Data Integrity Temporary Amendment Act of 2026 (D.C. Law 26-136) whose text was not reviewed. Other exemptions (new construction after 1975, long-vacant units, some subsidized housing) exist.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction