D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3404.04
Third party rights.
Operative Text
(a) The right of a third party to purchase an accommodation is conditional upon exercise of tenant rights under this subchapter . The time periods for negotiation of a contract of sale and for settlement under this subchapter are minimum periods, and the owner may afford the tenants a reasonable extension of such period, without liability under a third-party contract. (b) Third parties and their agents shall not interfere with the tenants' right to organize or otherwise exercise their rights under this subchapter . Third parties may negotiate with tenants for the assignment or waiver of rights pursuant to § 42-3404.06 ; provided, that the third party first discloses: (1) Their identity and that they are interested in purchasing the accommodation; (2) That they are not tenant organizers, as defined in § 42-3505.06(a)(2) , and do not represent the interests of the tenants; and (3) That the tenants have the right to have a training with a certified tenant support provider before engaging in negotiations. (c) Third party purchasers are presumed to act with full knowledge of tenant rights and public policy under this subchapter .
D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3404.04 establishes that any outside party's ability to buy a rental property is subordinate to the rights tenants hold under the District's Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act. The negotiation and settlement timelines set out in the subchapter are floors, not ceilings, meaning an owner may voluntarily extend them without triggering liability to a third-party buyer. Outside purchasers and their agents are barred from interfering with tenant organizing, and before seeking any assignment or waiver of tenant rights, they must make specific disclosures—including their identity, their non-representation of tenants, and tenants' right to training with a certified support provider. Third-party buyers are legally presumed to know tenant rights and public policy under this law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners selling under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3404.04 should be aware that any contract with an outside buyer is conditioned on tenants first having the opportunity to exercise their statutory purchase rights. Compliant sellers generally ensure that the negotiation and settlement periods afforded to tenants meet the minimum timeframes required by the subchapter, and they may grant reasonable extensions to tenants without incurring liability to a third-party purchaser. Owners typically document any extensions and communicate clearly with both tenants and prospective buyers to avoid disputes about whether tenant rights were properly honored before a third-party sale proceeds.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3404.04, tenants have protected rights that must be exercised before any outside buyer can complete a purchase of their building, and those rights cannot be undermined by interference from third parties or their agents. Before a third party may negotiate with tenants over the assignment or waiver of those rights, the third party is required to disclose their identity and purchasing interest, confirm they do not represent tenant interests, and inform tenants of their right to receive training from a certified tenant support provider. Tenants who believe a prospective buyer has interfered with their organizing or failed to make the required disclosures may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with D.C. housing law to understand available remedies.
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.
Effective Timeline
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