D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3404.36
Assignment of District rights.
Operative Text
The Mayor may assign the opportunity to purchase provided under subchapter IV of this chapter to a qualified purchaser certified pursuant to § 42-3404.02d that agrees to obligate itself and any successors in interest to maintain the affordability required by § 42-3404.33 .
Under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3404.36, the Mayor of the District of Columbia has the authority to transfer the government's right to purchase a rental property to a qualified buyer who has been certified under the applicable process. That certified purchaser must commit, on behalf of itself and any future owners, to preserving the affordability requirements set out elsewhere in the statute. This provision is part of the District's broader framework for protecting tenants when rental housing is offered for sale.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners selling rental housing in the District should be aware that under D.C. Code § 42-3401.01 et seq. § 42-3404.36, the Mayor may step in and assign the government's purchase opportunity to a certified qualified purchaser rather than exercising it directly. A compliant operator generally accounts for the possibility that such an assignee—bound by long-term affordability obligations—could become the new owner. Understanding how this assignment mechanism interacts with the broader Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act framework helps operators anticipate who may ultimately acquire the property and under what conditions.
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. § 42-3404.36 provides a layer of protection for tenants by allowing the Mayor to direct the District's purchase right to a certified buyer who is legally obligated to keep the housing affordable, even as ownership changes hands. Tenants living in buildings subject to this provision may have an interest in whether a prospective purchaser has been properly certified and has accepted the required affordability commitments. Tenant-rights organizations and the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate can be resources for understanding how this assignment process may affect housing stability in a particular building.
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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