D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3404.32
Limitations on the District’s opportunity to purchase.
Operative Text
(a) The District’s opportunity to purchase shall be subordinate to the right of a tenant. (b) To exercise its right under this subchapter, the Mayor shall provide a written statement of interest to the owner and tenant within 30 days of the Mayor’s receipt of the copy of offer of sale required by § 42-3404.03 . (c) Repealed.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3404.32, when a rental property is offered for sale in the District of Columbia, tenants hold a superior right to purchase over the District government itself. If the Mayor wishes to exercise the District's purchase opportunity, a written statement of interest must be delivered to both the owner and the tenant within 30 days of receiving the required copy of the offer of sale. This provision establishes a clear hierarchy: tenant purchase rights come first, and the District's interest is secondary.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3404.32, property owners selling a rental property in D.C. should be aware that the District government's opportunity to purchase is subordinate to tenant rights. Compliant operators generally ensure that the required offer-of-sale notice under § 42-3404.03 is properly delivered, which triggers the Mayor's 30-day window to submit a written statement of interest. Understanding this hierarchy helps owners anticipate the sequence of purchase opportunities that may arise during a sale process.
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. § 42-3404.32 establishes that tenants hold a purchase right that takes priority over the District government's own opportunity to buy the property. This means that even if the Mayor expresses interest in purchasing a building, that interest does not override or diminish the rights tenants have under D.C.'s tenant opportunity-to-purchase laws. Tenants who believe their purchase rights have been overlooked may consider contacting a tenant-rights organization, raising the issue with the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate, or consulting an attorney familiar with D.C. housing law.
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