D.C. Code tit. 8 § 8-241.04
Indoor mold remediation obligations at residential properties.
Operative Text
(a) A residential property owner who receives written or electronic notice from a tenant that indoor mold or suspected indoor mold exists in the dwelling unit or in a common area of the property shall inspect the property within 7 days and remediate the condition in accordance with subsections (b) and (c) of this section within 30 days of the inspection unless a shorter timeframe is ordered by a court or the Mayor. (b) Where professional indoor mold remediation is not required under subsection (c) of this section, a residential property owner notified of indoor mold by a tenant in accordance with subsection (a) shall clean and remove the indoor mold from the contaminated surface in accordance with the guidelines established under § 8-241.02(a)(4) . Failure of the Director to issue guidelines under § 8-241.02(a)(4) shall not excuse the residential property owner from the obligation to clean and remove visible indoor mold from the contaminated surface. (c) If a residential property owner knows or has reason to know that indoor mold contamination exists in a tenant’s dwelling unit or in a common area of the property, the residential property owner shall cause the mold to be remediated by an indoor mold remediation professional. (d) The provisions of this section may be enforced pursuant to § 8-241.05 .
Under D.C. Code § 8-241.04, residential property owners in the District of Columbia are required to act promptly when notified of indoor mold. Upon receiving written or electronic notice from a tenant, the owner must inspect within 7 days and complete remediation within 30 days of that inspection. Depending on the severity of the contamination, remediation must follow established guidelines or be performed by a licensed indoor mold remediation professional. A court or the Mayor may impose a shorter timeline if circumstances warrant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Code § 8-241.04 sets clear timelines and standards that compliant residential property operators in the District generally follow when mold is reported. Upon receiving written or electronic tenant notice, operators typically document receipt of the notice, conduct a thorough inspection within 7 days, and complete remediation within 30 days of that inspection. Where the contamination is significant or there is reason to believe a serious mold condition exists, operators engage a licensed indoor mold remediation professional rather than handling cleanup in-house. Keeping records of notices received, inspection findings, and remediation steps taken is consistent with the obligations outlined in this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 8-241.04 gives tenants a clear mechanism to trigger a landlord's legal obligation to address indoor mold: providing written or electronic notice of the condition. Once that notice is given, the law requires the property owner to inspect within 7 days and remediate within 30 days, or sooner if ordered. If a landlord fails to meet these obligations, enforcement options exist under § 8-241.05, and tenants may consider reaching out to the District's relevant housing or environmental agencies, a tenant-rights organization, or a legal aid provider to understand what remedies may be available.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation