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Office of the Tenant Advocate

The office will be closed to walk-ins 6/11-13/2025

To find support and resources for federal workers, visit fedsupport.dc.gov.

Agency Home Responsive

OTA Has Moved

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

2025 rental application fees capped at $53

Per the 6.5% increase in the CPI-U in 2025, the Rental Housing Commission has determined that the maximum rental housing application fee is $53 for 2025.

2025 Caps on Rent Control Increases

The Rental Housing Commission (RHC) has published the rent increase caps for rent control year 2025 based on the regional SS-COLA 2.5% cap for elderly/disability tenants under rent control and 4.8% (CPI-W + 2%) for other tenants under rent control.

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

Jul 2 2025

Modified District Government Services for Independence Day

(Washington, DC) – On Friday, July 4, District Government will observe Independence Day...

May 23 2025

Modified District Government Services for Memorial Day

(Washington, DC) – On Monday, May 26, District Government will observe the Memorial Day...

Apr 11 2025

Modified District Government Services for DC Emancipation Day

(Washington, DC) – On Wednesday April 16, District Government will observe the DC...

Feb 14 2025

Modified District Government Services for Presidents Day

(Washington, DC) – On Monday, February 17, District Government will observe the...

Jan 17 2025

Rental Housing Commission Publishes Rental Application Fee Cap for 2025

Under Law 24-115, the “Eviction Record Sealing Authority and Fairness in Renting ...

Office of the Tenant Advocate - OTA

Office Hours
Walk-ins: M-T: 9:30 am-3 pm/ Phone intakes: 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

Ask the Chief Tenant Advocate

Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)

Legislation Enacted Phasing Out the Eviction Moratoria and Other COVID Tenant Protections

Date Released:

Fri, 08/06/2021

On Saturday, July 24th, the Mayor signed an executive order ending the Public Health Emergency (PHE) as of July 25th, and signed into law Act 24-125, the “Public Emergency Extension and Eviction and Utility Moratorium Phasing Emergency Amendment Act of 2021.” The legislation phases out many of the tenant protections enacted during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Starting January 1, 2022, the landlord may file eviction actions for any of the ten lawful bases for eviction in the District.