D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3509.03
Supersedure.
Operative Text
This chapter shall be considered to supersede the Rental Accommodations Act of 1975, the Rental Housing Act of 1977, and the Rental Housing Act of 1980, except that a petition filed with the Rent Administrator under the Rental Housing Act of 1980 shall be determined under the provisions of the Rental Housing Act of 1980.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. § 42-3509.03, the current District of Columbia Rental Housing Act replaces and takes precedence over three earlier rental laws from 1975, 1977, and 1980. There is one narrow carve-out: any petition that was already filed with the Rent Administrator under the 1980 law continues to be decided according to that older law's rules. This provision establishes which legal framework governs rental housing matters in the District going forward.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in the District of Columbia should recognize that D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. § 42-3509.03 establishes the current Rental Housing Act as the governing framework, replacing the earlier 1975, 1977, and 1980 statutes. Compliant operators generally look to the current chapter's requirements when determining their obligations, rather than relying on those superseded laws. The only exception involves petitions that were already pending under the 1980 Act, which continue under that prior framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in the District of Columbia should be aware that D.C. Code § 42-3501.01 et seq. § 42-3509.03 means the current Rental Housing Act is the primary law governing their rental rights, having replaced earlier versions from 1975, 1977, and 1980. If a petition was filed with the Rent Administrator under the 1980 Act before this chapter took effect, that petition is still resolved under the older rules. Tenants with questions about which legal framework applies to their situation may find it helpful to contact a tenant-rights organization or the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate.
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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