14 DCMR § 14-203
REGISTERED AGENT FOR NON-RESIDENT LICENSEES
Operative Text
203.1 An applicant or licensee that is the non-resident owner of at least one (1) rental unit in the District of Columbia shall appoint and continuously maintain a registered agent for service of process. 203.2 The non-resident owner shall make the appointment by filing a written statement with the Director on a prescribed form. 203.3 The registered agent shall be an individual who is a resident of the District of Columbia or an organization incorporated in the District of Columbia. 203.4 If the licensee changes the agent, or if the name or address or any information about the agent changes after the licensee files the statement with the Director, the non-resident owner shall, within seven (7) business days of its occurrence, file a written statement notifying the Director of the change. 203.5 Pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 42-903(b)(2) (2010 Repl.), the Director shall serve as the registered agent for the non-resident owner if: (a) A registered agent is not appointed under § 203.1; or (b) The individual or organization appointed under § 203.1 ceases to serve as the resident agent and no successor is appointed. 203.6 Pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 42-903(d) (2010 Repl.), a non-resident owner of one (1) or more rental units in the District in violation of this section shall be subject to a penalty of three hundred dollars ($300).
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-203, any non-resident owner of at least one rental unit in the District of Columbia must designate and continuously maintain a registered agent—either a D.C. resident individual or a D.C.-incorporated organization—who can receive legal process on the owner's behalf. The appointment must be made in writing with the Director, and any changes to the agent's identity or contact information must be reported within seven business days. If no valid agent is on file, the Director automatically steps in as the registered agent by operation of law, and owners who fail to comply face a $300 penalty.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Non-resident rental property owners operating in the District should be aware that § 14-203 of D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. requires them to file a written registered-agent designation with the Director using the prescribed form before or at the time of licensure. Compliant operators keep their agent's name, address, and contact details current, submitting an updated written statement to the Director within seven business days whenever any of that information changes. Failing to maintain a valid registered agent not only exposes an owner to a $300 penalty but also results in the Director serving as the default agent, which can affect how legal notices and service of process are handled.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-203 establishes that tenants renting from a non-resident owner have a right to know that a legally designated agent exists who can receive service of process on the owner's behalf, making it easier to pursue legal remedies when needed. If a non-resident landlord has not filed or maintained a registered agent as required, that owner may be subject to a $300 penalty, and the Director steps in as the default agent. Tenants who believe their non-resident landlord is out of compliance with § 14-203 may consider contacting the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development, consulting a tenant-rights organization, or raising the issue through available administrative channels.
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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