D.C. Code tit. 42 § 42-3504.02
Rental Unit Fee Fund.
Operative Text
(a) There is established as a special fund the Rental Unit Fee Fund ("Fund"), which shall be administered by the Office of the Tenant Advocate in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.
(b) The source of revenue for the Fund shall be the fee charged to a housing provider pursuant to § 42-3504.01(a) , excluding $21.50 of that fee, which shall be deposited in the fund established pursuant to § 42-3131.01(b) .
(c) Money in the Fund shall be used solely to support the activities of the Office of the Tenant Advocate.
(d) The money deposited into the Fund shall not revert to the unrestricted fund balance of the General Fund of the District of Columbia at the end of a fiscal year, or at any other time.D.C. Code § 42-3504.02 establishes a dedicated special fund called the Rental Unit Fee Fund, which is funded by fees that housing providers pay under § 42-3504.01(a), with $21.50 of each fee directed elsewhere. The Fund is administered by the Office of the Tenant Advocate and may only be used to support that office's activities. Importantly, any money remaining in the Fund at the end of a fiscal year does not revert to the District's general treasury — it stays in the Fund.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under D.C. Code § 42-3504.02, housing providers should be aware that the fees they pay pursuant to § 42-3504.01(a) are not deposited into the District's general fund but are instead directed to the Rental Unit Fee Fund. A compliant housing provider accounts for this fee as a dedicated regulatory cost, understanding that most of it funds the Office of the Tenant Advocate. Operators generally keep records of fee payments to demonstrate compliance with the underlying fee obligation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 42-3504.02 directly benefits tenants by ensuring that housing provider fees are channeled exclusively to the Office of the Tenant Advocate, the agency that exists to support tenant rights in the District. Because the Fund does not expire or revert to the general treasury, the Office of the Tenant Advocate maintains a stable, dedicated source of funding for its work. Tenants who need assistance with housing issues may consider reaching out to the Office of the Tenant Advocate, which is supported by this Fund, or consulting a tenant-rights organization 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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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