D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3531.07
Duties of the Office of the Tenant Advocate.
Operative Text
The Office shall: (1) Provide education and outreach to tenants and the community about laws, rules, and other policy matters involving rental housing, including tenant rights under the petition process and formation of tenant organizations; (2) Represent the interests of tenants and tenant organizations in legislative, executive, and judicial issues, including advocating changes in laws and rules and reviewing landlord petitions on behalf of tenants; (3) Advise tenants and tenant organizations on filing complaints and petitions, including petitions in response to disputes with landlords; (4) Advise and assist tenants and tenant organizations at conciliation meetings; (5) (A) Represent tenants, at its discretion and as it determines to be in the public interest, in Federal or District judicial or administrative proceedings; (B) Provide an annual report to the Council on or before February 1 of each year setting forth each tenant request for representation, a description of the circumstances surrounding each request, whether or not the Office provided representation, and the outcome of cases where representation was provided; (6) Organize tenant and tenant organizations participation in building-wide inspections; (6A) Provide emergency housing and relocation assistance to qualified tenants, as determined by the Office, including payments for: (A) The short-term relocation of tenants to hotels, motels, or other appropriate accommodations; (B) The moving and storage of personal property; (C) Rental application fees, security deposits, and utility deposits; and (D) The first month’s rent; (7) Operate a Tenant Phone Hotline and Tenant Center; and (8) Publish a Tenant Bill of Rights, which shall be updated periodically, and noticed in the District of Columbia Register.
D.C. Code § 42-3531.07 establishes the formal duties of the District of Columbia's Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA). The law requires the OTA to educate tenants about their rights, represent tenant interests before legislative and judicial bodies, assist with complaints and petitions, and operate resources like a phone hotline and Tenant Center. The OTA is also authorized to provide emergency housing and relocation assistance—including payments for hotels, moving costs, deposits, and first month's rent—to qualifying tenants, and must publish and periodically update a Tenant Bill of Rights.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3531.07, the Office of the Tenant Advocate is empowered to review landlord petitions on behalf of tenants and to represent tenants in judicial or administrative proceedings at the OTA's discretion. Property owners and managers operating in the District should be aware that tenants have access to a government office that can advise them, assist them at conciliation meetings, and advocate against landlord petitions before relevant bodies. Compliant operators generally maintain transparent communication and documentation practices, recognizing that tenants may arrive at proceedings with OTA support.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3531.07 gives the Office of the Tenant Advocate a broad mandate to serve renters in the District, including advising on how to file complaints and petitions, assisting at conciliation meetings, and potentially representing tenants in court or administrative proceedings. Tenants can reach the OTA through its Tenant Phone Hotline and Tenant Center, and may also be eligible for emergency relocation assistance—such as help with hotel stays, moving costs, deposits, and first month's rent—if the OTA determines they qualify. Tenants facing disputes or housing emergencies may also consult the OTA-published Tenant Bill of Rights or connect with local tenant organizations that the OTA is charged with supporting.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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