14 DCMR § 14-1915
DISAPPROVAL OF LEASE
Operative Text
1915.1 If DCHA determines that the lease cannot be approved for any reason, including the condition of the unit, DCHA shall notify the provider and the family of the following: (a) That the proposed lease or the proposed dwelling unit is disapproved, for specified reasons; and (b) That if the conditions requiring disapproval are remedied, and if a Request for Lease Approval is resubmitted on or before a date specified by DCHA, the lease will be approved if DCHA determines that conditions have been remedied to its satisfaction. 1915.2 The Certificate of Family Participation shall not expire before the resubmission date specified on the notification of disapproval of the Lease. 1915.3 DCHA shall retain in its files the following documents: (a) The Request for Lease Approval; (b) The inspection report(s), if any; and (c) The notification of disapproval of the lease.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 § 14-1915, when the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) cannot approve a proposed lease — whether due to unit conditions or other reasons — it must formally notify both the housing provider and the family, explaining the specific grounds for disapproval and outlining what must be corrected for the lease to be reconsidered. DCHA must also set a resubmission deadline and ensure the family's Certificate of Family Participation remains valid through that date. DCHA is required to keep the original lease request, any inspection reports, and the disapproval notice in its official records.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing providers participating in DCHA programs should be aware that under § 14-1915, a disapproved lease does not necessarily end the process — DCHA is required to specify the reasons for disapproval and provide a resubmission deadline. Compliant operators typically address the identified deficiencies promptly, whether they relate to unit conditions or lease terms, and resubmit a Request for Lease Approval before the date DCHA specifies. Keeping thorough records of any corrective actions taken can help demonstrate that disapproval conditions have been remedied to DCHA's satisfaction.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 14-1915, families have a right to receive written notice from DCHA explaining exactly why a proposed lease or unit was disapproved and what steps could lead to approval. Importantly, a family's Certificate of Family Participation cannot expire before the resubmission deadline stated in the disapproval notice, protecting the family's ability to continue searching for housing. Tenants who believe a disapproval was handled improperly may wish to review DCHA's written notice carefully, contact DCHA directly for clarification, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
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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