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Office of the Tenant Advocate

Agency Home Responsive

Interruption of OTA Services for Office Move

Our office will experience an interruption of services on November 8th and November 12th as we move to our new location at 899 North Capitol Street NE. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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)

The ERAP portal is currently closed and not accepting new applications until next quarter. Residents seeking emergency rental assistance can submit their application to DHS when the portal opens again on October 1, 2024, at 12 pm.

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.

Latest

Press Releases

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"...

Feb 1 2024

REVISED Summary of New Rent Control Rent Increase Caps: 2.9% for elderly/disability tenants; 4.9% for most other tenants

On January 16th, the Rental Housing Commission (RHC) published the rent increase caps for rent...

Jan 16 2024

Rental Housing Commission Publishes New Rent Increase Caps: 2.9% for elderly/disability tenants; 4.9% for most other tenants

The Rental Housing Commission (RHC) has published the rent increase caps for rent control year 2024...

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
2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 300 North, Washington, DC 20009
Phone: (202) 719-6560
Fax: (202) 719-6586
TTY: 711

Ask the Chief Tenant Advocate

Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)

Renters 101

Last Date:

Renters 101 will provide District residents with an overview of their rights and responsibilities. Many topics will be covered, including leases, rent increases, rent control, evictions, housing code problems and security deposits.