D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3404.08
Right of first refusal.
Operative Text
In addition to any and all other rights specified in this subchapter , a tenant or tenant organization shall also have the right of first refusal during the 15 days after the tenant or tenant organization has received from the owner a valid sales contract to purchase by a third party. If the contract is received during the negotiation period pursuant to § 42-3404.09(c)(4) , § 42-3404.10(a)(2) , or § 42-3404.11(2) , the 15-day period will begin to run at the end of the negotiation period. In exercising rights pursuant to this section, all rights specified in this subchapter shall apply except the minimum negotiation periods specified in §§ 42-3404.09(c)(4) , 42-3404.10(a)(2) , and 42-3404.11(2) .
Under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3404.08, when a property owner enters into a valid sales contract with a third-party buyer, tenants or tenant organizations are granted a right of first refusal — meaning they have an opportunity to purchase the property on the same terms before the sale can proceed to that third party. This window is 15 days from the date the tenant or tenant organization receives the valid contract, though if the contract arrives during an active negotiation period under related provisions, the 15-day clock does not start until that negotiation period ends. During the exercise of this right, all other subchapter protections apply, with the exception of the minimum negotiation periods specified in the related sections.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners planning to sell a rental property in the District of Columbia must be aware that D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3404.08 requires them to provide tenants or tenant organizations with a copy of any valid third-party sales contract, triggering a 15-day right-of-first-refusal window. Compliant operators typically ensure that contract delivery is documented and that they do not proceed to close a sale with a third party until this period has fully elapsed — or longer if the contract is received during an ongoing negotiation period. Operators generally maintain records of when and how the contract was transmitted to tenants to demonstrate compliance with the statutory timeline.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3404.08 gives tenants and tenant organizations the right to match a third-party purchase offer within 15 days of receiving a valid sales contract from the owner, preserving an opportunity to buy the property before it is sold to an outside buyer. If the contract arrives while a negotiation period under related provisions is still active, the 15-day window does not begin until that period concludes, giving tenants additional time to organize and respond. Tenants who believe this right has been violated may consider raising the violation as a defense in relevant proceedings, filing a complaint with the appropriate District of Columbia housing authority, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on 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.
Effective Timeline
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