Welcome to the Office of the Tenant Advocate website. The new government agency created by the City Council in the Budget Support Act of 2005 was envisioned to provide all renters in the District of Columbia with an additional level of protection by ensuring that those who provide housing accommodations comply with the Housing Act of 1985 and the Sales and Conversion Act of 1980

In April 2006, the Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) became a department within the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). Over the course of the past 18 months, OTA has created educational programs and conducted workshops about the Rent Control Reform Amendment Act of 2006, A Tenant’s Right to Purchase (TOPA), Understanding the Residential Inspection Process and How to Complete a Tenant Petition in each ward across the city.

OTA designed, developed and implemented the tenant legal representation program.  Volunteer citizens were selected and sworn in to create the statutorily mandated Tenant Advisory Council (TAC). The TAC’s charge is to monitor the work of the OTA and provide recommendations to enhance the program and services offered to the community.

The content of this site was designed to provide citizens, renters and the business community with access to the laws, educational materials, and basic tools needed to understand the complicated legislative statutes that provide renters with legal protection.

The site will guide residents who are interested in creating a tenant association in understanding the compliance requirements necessary to become a recognized association in good standing.

I encourage you to take a tour now to discover the valuable information that has been assembled to inaugurate the OTA’s maiden voyage.

Sincerely,

Johanna Shreve
Interim Director
Office of the Tenant Advocate