D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3405.10
Penalties.
Operative Text
Any person who wilfully violates any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted under or order issued pursuant to this chapter or any person who wilfully in an application makes any false statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact shall be fined not less than $1,000 or double the amount of gain from the transaction, whichever is larger, but not more than $50,000; or such person may be imprisoned for no more than 6 months; or both, for each offense. Prosecution for violations of this chapter shall be brought in the name of the District of Columbia by the Office of the Corporation Counsel.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3405.10, willful violations of the District of Columbia's tenant opportunity to purchase law—including making false statements or omitting material facts in an application—carry significant consequences. A violator may face a fine of at least $1,000 or double the financial gain from the transaction, whichever is greater, up to a maximum of $50,000 per offense. Criminal penalties of up to six months of imprisonment may also apply, and the two types of penalties can be imposed together.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3405.10 are generally expected to ensure that all applications and disclosures submitted in connection with covered transactions are complete and accurate. Compliant operators take care to avoid omitting material facts, since willful misrepresentation or omission can trigger fines starting at $1,000—or double the transaction gain, whichever is larger—up to $50,000 per offense. Prosecution under this provision is handled by the Office of the Corporation Counsel in the name of the District of Columbia.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants covered by D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3405.10 have the benefit of a law that imposes serious penalties on those who willfully violate its provisions or submit false or incomplete applications. If a tenant believes a landlord or other party has willfully misrepresented or withheld material information in violation of this chapter, general enforcement paths include reporting the conduct to the Office of the Corporation Counsel or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with D.C. housing law. Because violations can result in fines up to $50,000 per offense and potential imprisonment, the penalty structure is designed to deter misconduct that could harm tenants' rights under this chapter.
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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