D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3404.31
District’s opportunity to purchase certain housing accommodations.
Operative Text
(a) Before an owner of a housing accommodation may sell a housing accommodation comprised of 5 or more units, the owner shall provide to the Mayor, on behalf of the District, and the Mayor shall have, an opportunity to purchase the housing accommodation in the same manner, except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, as the opportunity to purchase is provided to a tenant under subchapter IV of this chapter . (b) The Mayor may assign the opportunity to purchase pursuant to § 42-3404.36 . (c) The Mayor shall have the same remedies and rights to enforce owner compliance with this chapter as a tenant or tenant organization would have against an owner for violation of this chapter.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3404.31 (part of the broader D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. framework), before an owner of a housing accommodation with five or more units can complete a sale, the District of Columbia government must first be given an opportunity to purchase the property on terms comparable to those offered to tenants under the tenant opportunity-to-purchase rules. The Mayor may assign this purchase right to another party as permitted by the statute. If an owner fails to comply, the District holds the same enforcement remedies that tenants or tenant organizations would have under the law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners of housing accommodations with five or more units in the District of Columbia must be aware that D.C. Code § 42-3404.31 requires them to notify the Mayor and extend a purchase opportunity to the District before completing any sale. Compliant operators generally follow the same procedural steps required for tenant opportunity-to-purchase notices, ensuring the District receives proper notice and a meaningful chance to act. Failure to follow these steps exposes an owner to the same legal remedies the District could pursue against an owner who violated tenant rights under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3404.31, part of the D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. tenant-protection framework, gives the District government a parallel right to purchase larger rental properties before a sale closes, which can help preserve housing in the community. Tenants living in buildings of five or more units may find that this provision works alongside their own opportunity-to-purchase rights to add an additional layer of protection against displacement. Tenants who believe an owner has bypassed these requirements may consider contacting a tenant-rights organization or consulting with a housing attorney to understand what remedies may be available under the statute.
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 In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation