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Office of the Tenant Advocate

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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)

Next quarter, DHS will close the portal once 4,000 applications are received. DHS will re-open the ERAP application on July 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.

OTA’s 2024 Rent Increase Cap Calculator

Need to check whether your rent increase for Rent Control Year 2024 (May 1, 2024 - April 30, 2025) is lawful? Use this helpful tool!

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

Visit agency-related reports

Legal Resources

Visit legal resources

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Latest

Press Releases

Jul 3 2024

Modified District Government Services for July 4, 2024

(Washington, DC) – On Thursday, July 4, the District Government will observe the Fourth of July...

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...

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

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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.