D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3230
Grant or assignment of reversion of premises or by lessee not to affect rights or duties under lease.
Operative Text
The grantee or assignee of the reversion of any leased premises shall have the same right of action against the lessee, his personal representatives, heirs, or assigns, for rent or for any forfeiture or breach of any covenant or condition in the lease which the grantor or assignor might have had; and the assignee of the lessee shall have the same rights of action against the lessor, his grantee, or assignee, upon any covenants in the lease which the lessee might have had against the lessor.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3230, when ownership of a leased property changes hands—whether through sale or assignment—the lease obligations and rights travel with it. A new property owner steps into the prior owner's shoes and can pursue tenants for unpaid rent or lease violations just as the original landlord could have. Likewise, a tenant who has assigned their lease to someone else passes along the right to hold the landlord (or any successor landlord) accountable for covenants the original landlord made.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3230 means that when a landlord sells or transfers a rental property, the incoming owner inherits the full set of enforcement rights under existing leases—including the ability to pursue claims for unpaid rent or covenant breaches that arose before or after the transfer. Compliant operators typically document the transfer carefully, notify tenants of the new ownership, and review existing lease terms to understand which obligations and rights have passed to them. Keeping thorough records of any pre-existing lease violations or outstanding rent balances helps ensure continuity of enforcement authority.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3201 et seq. § 42-3230 protects tenants by ensuring that lease promises made by an original landlord remain enforceable even after the property is sold or the landlord's interest is transferred. If a tenant has assigned their lease, the incoming tenant-assignee also inherits the right to hold the landlord or any successor landlord to those same covenants. Tenants who believe a new property owner is failing to honor lease obligations may consider raising the provision as a defense in any legal proceeding, filing a complaint with a relevant District of Columbia housing authority, or consulting a tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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