ota

Office of the Tenant Advocate

Agency Home Responsive

OTA Has Moved

Our offices have moved to a new location at 899 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 6200.

2024 rental application fees capped at $52

Per the 3.1% increase in the CPI-U in 2024, the Rental Housing Commission has determined that the maximum rental housing application fee is $52 for 2024.

2024 Caps on Rent Control Increases

The Rental Housing Commission (RHC) has published the rent increase caps for rent control year 2024 based on the regional CPI-W. 2.9% cap for elderly / disability tenants under rent control and 4.9% for MOST other tenants under rent control.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

DHS is moving from quarterly to continuous portal availability. Beginning November 20, 2024, at 12 pm, residents can apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) at erap.dhs.dc.gov.

Tenant Tutorial Videos

Please view OTA’s tutorial videos on subjects such as rent increases, housing code violations, and TOPA, among others.

Tenant Resource Guide

Download the Tenant Resource Guide here, including information on government resources, court resources, legal resources, DC Housing Authority resources, rental housing search assistance, and housing-related financial assistance.

Talk to Your Tenant Advocate

Do you have a question about your tenant rights? Get help today. Speak to your Tenant Advocate. Meet with an Advocate, ask a question online, or just give us a call.

Featured Services

OTA Housing Assistance and Community Service

Contact OTA if you have questions on landlord disputes and other housing issues.

Emergency Housing

Contact OTA if you have questions about financial assistance for emergency housing.

OTA Legal Representation

Contact OTA to find out what types of legal representation is available to you.

OTA Reports

Scheduled Evictions

Legal Resources

Visit legal resources

OTA on Twitter

Tweets by @OTAatDC

Latest

Press Releases

Nov 18 2024

OTA has relocated to 899 North Capitol Street, NE

(Washington, DC) - The District of Columbia Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) has relocated to...

Nov 7 2024

Modified District Government Services for Veterans Day

(Washington, DC) – On Monday, November 11, the District Government will observe Veterans Day. While...

May 23 2024

Modified District Government Services for Memorial Day

(Washington, DC) – On Monday, May 27, the District Government will observe Memorial Day. While some...

Feb 20 2024

OTA’s Rental Housing Legislation Tracking Chart Updated

The OTA has updated its DC Rental Housing Legislation Tracking Chart for the current Council Period...

Feb 1 2024

OTA Publishes Rent Increase Cap Calculator for Rent Control Year Starting May 1

With this notice, the OTA is publishing its first-ever "OTA Rent Control Rent Increase Cap"...

Office of the Tenant Advocate - OTA

Office Hours
We are not accepting walk-ins. Telephone intakes only: M-F, 8:45 am-4:45 pm.

Connect With Us
899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 6200, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 719-6560
Fax: (202) 719-6586
TTY: 711