D.C. Code tit. 2, ch. 14 § 2-1402.52
Records and reports.
Operative Text
(a) Every person subject to this chapter shall preserve any regularly kept business records for a period of one year from the date of the making of the record, or from the date of the action which is the subject of the record, whichever is longer; such records shall include, but not be limited to, application forms submitted by applicants, sales and rental records, credit and reference reports, personnel records, and any other record pertaining to the status of an individual’s enjoyment of the rights and privileges protected or granted under this chapter. (b) Where a charge of discrimination has been filed against a person under this chapter, the respondent shall preserve all records which may be relevant to the charge or action, until a final disposition of the charge in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. (c) (1) All persons subject to this unit shall furnish to the Office, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Office, such data, documents, information, records, and reports relating to information under their control as the Office may require. (2) Neither data, documents, information, reports, and records submitted to the Office under the provisions of this section nor the identities of persons and properties contained in reports submitted to the Office under the provisions of this section shall be made public.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1402.52 establishes record-keeping obligations for anyone subject to the District's human rights law. Covered persons must retain regularly kept business records—such as rental applications, credit reports, and personnel files—for at least one year from the date the record was made or the date of the underlying action, whichever is later. If a discrimination charge is filed, all records relevant to that charge must be kept until the matter is fully resolved. Records submitted to the Office of Human Rights under this provision are confidential and may not be made public.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1402.52, property owners and managers who are subject to the District's human rights law generally maintain rental applications, credit and reference reports, lease records, and other housing-related documents for a minimum of one year from the date each record was created or the date of the action it documents. When a discrimination charge is filed naming a housing provider as a respondent, compliant operators typically preserve all potentially relevant records until the charge reaches final disposition. Records submitted to the Office of Human Rights in response to an official request are treated as confidential under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 2-1401.01 et seq. § 2-1402.52 supports tenants and applicants by requiring housing providers to retain records—including rental applications and credit reports—that could be relevant to a discrimination claim for at least one year, and for the full duration of any pending charge. If a tenant believes their rights under the District's human rights law have been violated, this provision means that relevant records should be available to the Office of Human Rights during an investigation. Tenants who believe they have experienced discrimination may consider contacting the D.C. Office of Human Rights or a local tenant-rights organization to learn about available complaint processes.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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