14 DCMR § 14-4708
APPLICABILITY OF TITLE II OF THE ACT
Operative Text
4708.1 If a notice of filing has been issued to the declarant and the certificate of eligibility for conversion of the housing accommodation to a condominium issued pursuant to D.C. Law 1-89 was valid on the effective date of the Act, that housing accommodation is exempt from the provisions of Title II of the Act, provided that the certificate of eligibility remains valid upon registration. 4708.2 If articles of incorporation have been filed by the cooperative association for the housing accommodation, and the underlying certification of exemption for conversion of the housing accommodation to a cooperative was valid on the date of the Act, that housing accommodation is exempt from the provisions of Title II of the Act, provided that the certificate of exemption remains valid upon incorporation. 4708.3 A housing accommodation lawfully vacant on January 1, 1980, and vacant continuously since that time, shall be exempt from the provisions of Title II of the Act. The owner or contract purchaser shall provide evidence of the vacancy, including when and how the units in the housing accommodation became vacant. The application for exemption shall include the information required by §§ 4701.5(a)-(f) and (h). 4708.4 Any structure that does not fall within the definition of a housing accommodation, as defined in § 103(11) of the Act shall be exempt from title II of the Act. The owner or contract purchaser shall provide documentation of the structure’s use, and the information required by §§ 4701.5(a)-(f) and (h). 4708.5 Unless there is a specific exemption applicable under §§ 4707.1, 4708.1, 4708.2, 4708.3 or 4708.4, an owner of a housing accommodation shall comply with Title II of the Act.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-4708, certain housing accommodations in the District of Columbia may be exempt from the tenant-protection requirements of Title II of the Rental Housing Conversion and Sale Act. Exemptions apply in specific circumstances, such as when a valid condominium or cooperative conversion certificate was in place on the Act's effective date, when a property has been continuously vacant since January 1, 1980, or when a structure does not meet the statutory definition of a 'housing accommodation.' Any property that does not qualify under one of these narrow exemptions—or under § 4707.1—remains fully subject to Title II's requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers seeking an exemption under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-4708 are generally expected to affirmatively demonstrate eligibility by submitting supporting documentation, such as evidence of a valid conversion certificate, proof of continuous vacancy since January 1, 1980, or records showing the structure falls outside the statutory definition of a housing accommodation. Compliant operators typically gather the information specified in §§ 4701.5(a)–(f) and (h) before filing an exemption application. Owners who cannot establish a qualifying exemption under § 14-4708 or § 4707.1 are expected to comply with all Title II obligations.
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. § 14-4708 sets out the limited circumstances under which a landlord may claim that a property is exempt from Title II's tenant protections, meaning tenants in most standard rental housing accommodations retain the full rights Title II provides. If a landlord asserts an exemption, tenants may have grounds to challenge whether the claimed exemption—such as a continuous vacancy or a conversion certificate—is actually valid and properly documented. Tenants who believe an exemption is being improperly claimed can explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization or raising the issue with the appropriate District of Columbia housing authority.
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
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation