To register a rental property in the District of Columbia, you need to follow these steps:
1. Corporate Registration (If Applicable):
If your organization is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or in some cases, a trust, said the organization must be registered and in good standing with the Corporations Division. For more information, including assistance with completing the application process, please contact the Corporations Division at (202) 442-4432 or visit DLCP Corporate Registration Information Center.
Non-Resident of the District of Columbia (including Foreign Corporations)
If you are not a resident of the District of Columbia, you'll need to appoint a Resident Agent or an Attorney-in-Fact who lives or works in an office in the District, who will be the official recipient of any financial, process, or legal notices. If you are not a DC resident, please complete the Certified Resident Agent Appointment Form.
Corporate Registered Agents
Any business required to register with the Corporations Division is required to maintain a registered agent. Said registered agent may be a bona fide District of Columbia resident or a company physically located in the District of Columbia. The registered agent’s office may or may not be the same address as the place of business.
Resident Agents
Family trusts, general partnerships, and sole proprietors are required to maintain a resident agent. Said resident agent may be a bona fide District of Columbia resident or a company physically located in the District of Columbia. The resident agent’s office may or may not be at the same address as the place of business.
Trade Name Registration (Use of Fictitious Business Name)
A business operating under a fictitious name or a name other than the legally recognized name must register the trade name with the Corporations Division. For more information, including assistance with completing the trade name application process, please contact the Corporations Division at (202) 442-4432 or visit DLCP Corporate Registration Information Center.
2. Obtain a Business Tax Registration Number (BTR):
All applicants for a Basic Business License must provide a registered tax number (i.e., SSN or FEIN) at the time of application. Register your tax number with the Office of Tax and Revenue via MyTax.DC.gov, For more information, contact the Office of Tax and Revenue, 1101 4th Street, SW, Suite W270, Washington, DC 20024 at (202) 727-4829.
3. Obtain a Clean Hands Certificate:
During the Basic Business License application process, all applicants must certify that no more than $100.00 is owed to the District of Columbia Government as a result of fees, penalties, interest, or taxes.
4. Obtain a Basic Business License:
In order to obtain or renew a Basic Business License as a rental property provider, landlords must obtain and pass an inspection. There is no cost for the inspection, however, if a property fails the inspection or you request that the inspection be rescheduled with less than two business days advance notice, you will be responsible for paying a $90.00 re-inspection fee that must be paid prior to license renewal.
In order to schedule an inspection on your property, please submit a request using this online inspection request form and the DOB Inspection and Compliance Administration will contact you directly within 10 business days to schedule an inspection.
To ensure that we have the best contact information for you, please visit the Housing Registry to provide or update your contact information.
A few things to note:
Any request to reschedule must be made at least two (2) business days prior to the scheduled inspection date.
If renewing a Basic Business License and you do not obtain a passed inspection prior to the time of renewal, your Basic Business License will not be renewed. Failure to obtain an inspection within 90 days, your license will be canceled.
You may also receive a Notice of Infraction (NOI) for operating your business without fully complying with the licensure regulations.
5. Register to DHCD-Stamped Rental Accommodations:
All applicants for a Basic Business License for a Rental Housing Business must register the rental units with the Department of Housing and Community Development's Rental Accommodations Division (RAD), (202) 442-9505, at 1800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20020 as required by the Rental Housing Act of 1985. The fee associated with RAD registration is $43.00 per unit, per two-year license period in addition to the license, application, and endorsement fees.
An applicant for an Apartment must register with the DHCD after the Basic Business License has been accepted by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). Upon registration with DHCD, the applicant returns to DLCP with the DHCD-stamped RAD Form in order for the license to be issued.
One Family Rental and Two Family Rental applicants must register with DHCD after the license has been issued by DLCP.
DHCD Rental Accommodations Registration Form
6. Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy:
This certificate is required for Apartments and Two Family Rentals. The purpose of a Certificate of Occupancy (“COO” or “C of O”) is to ensure that the use of a building, structure or land in the District of Columbia conforms to the Zoning Regulations (DCMR Title 11) provisions of the DC Construction Codes, and the Green Building Act.
In most cases, no person can use a building, structure or land in the District of Columbia for any purpose other than a single-family dwelling, until a valid Certificate of Occupancy has been issued.
It's important to note that failure to register your rental property in the District of Columbia can result in fines and legal penalties.