14 DCMR § 14-510
AIR CONDITIONING
Operative Text
510.1 The owner of a rental habitation, who provides air conditioning as a service either through individual air conditioning units or a central air conditioning system, shall maintain such unit or system in safe and good working condition so that it provides an inside temperature at least fifteen degrees Fahrenheit (15° F.) less than the outside temperature. 510.2 The owner shall also have the individual units or central system inspected each year, between September 1st and May 1st, by a master refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic or master refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic limited, licensed by the District of Columbia to ensure compliance with this section and with the Fire Prevention Code (12D DCMR F101.6(5)). 510.3 The findings on inspection shall be recorded on forms approved by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (“Department”) within fifteen (15) days following inspection and shall be delivered to the owner, who shall file a copy with the Department within seven (7) days of receipt of the findings. 510.4 The owner shall correct all defects as found upon the inspection by June 1st of each year, and shall submit written certification to the Department that the corrections have been made. 510.5 The written certification shall be signed by the owner and by a master refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, or master refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic limited, licensed by the District of Columbia.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-510, when a rental property owner provides air conditioning—whether through individual units or a central system—that equipment must be kept in safe, working order capable of cooling interior spaces to at least 15°F below the outside temperature. Owners are required to have the system inspected annually by a licensed master refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic between September 1st and May 1st, with inspection findings documented on Department-approved forms. Any defects identified must be corrected by June 1st each year, and the owner must submit written certification—signed by both the owner and a licensed mechanic—confirming that corrections were made.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who supply air conditioning as part of a rental unit's services are bound by D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-510 to keep those systems in safe, functional condition year-round. Compliant operators typically schedule their annual inspection with a District of Columbia–licensed master refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic between September 1st and May 1st, ensure inspection findings are recorded on Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs–approved forms within 15 days, and file a copy with the Department within 7 days of receiving those findings. Operators also track the June 1st deadline for correcting any identified defects and obtain the required dual-signed written certification confirming all corrections have been completed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
If your rental unit includes air conditioning provided by the landlord, § 14-510 of D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. gives you the benefit of a system that must be maintained in safe, working condition and inspected annually by a licensed mechanic. If the air conditioning is not functioning properly or the landlord has not met the inspection and certification requirements, tenants may have grounds to raise a violation of this provision when pursuing a housing complaint. General enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the District of Columbia's Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs or consulting a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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