14 DCMR § 14-700
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Operative Text
700.1 The purpose of this subtitle is to require repairs and maintenance designed to make a premises or neighborhood healthy and safe. These requirements are in addition to the basic repairs and maintenance needed to keep out the elements. 700.2 Every premises accommodating one (1) or more habitations shall be maintained and kept in repair to provide decent living accommodations for the occupants. AUTHORITY: Unless otherwise noted, the authority for this chapter is contained at paragraphs 28 and 46 of section 7 of An Act Making appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and three, and for other purposes (“Act of 1902”), Public, No.218, 32 Stat. 590, approved July 1, 1902, as amended by: An Act approved July 1, 1932 to amend section 7 [of the Act of 1902], Public, No. 237, 47 Stat. 550; and An Act approved July 22, 1947, Public Law 215, 61 Stat. 402.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-700, every residential premises in the District of Columbia must be maintained and kept in repair to provide decent, healthy, and safe living conditions for occupants. This rule goes beyond simply keeping out weather and the elements — it sets a broader standard aimed at protecting the health and safety of both residents and the surrounding neighborhood. The provision applies to any property that contains one or more dwelling units.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-700 are generally expected to maintain all residential premises in a state of repair that meets a decent living standard — not merely patching roofs or sealing windows, but addressing health and safety conditions throughout the property. Compliant operators typically conduct regular inspections, respond promptly to maintenance requests, and document repair work to demonstrate ongoing compliance with this baseline standard. Because § 14-700 sets a floor that other, more specific regulations build upon, operators commonly review the full subtitle to understand how additional requirements layer on top of these general provisions.
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. § 14-700 establishes that tenants in the District of Columbia have a right to housing that is maintained at a level providing decent, healthy, and safe living conditions — a standard that exceeds mere weather-tightness. Tenants who believe their housing falls short of this standard may consider documenting conditions, notifying their landlord in writing, or filing a complaint with the District's housing inspection authorities. Tenant-rights organizations in the District can help residents understand how § 14-700 interacts with other local housing code provisions and what enforcement options may be available.
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