14 DCMR § 14-2909
DEVELOPER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PRE-EXISTING OCCUPANTS: MULTI-FAMILY HOMESTEADS
Operative Text
2909.1 The homestead developer selected pursuant to § 2908 shall provide to persons residing in a multi-family property converted to a homestead the right of first refusal to purchase their unit, or a comparable unit in the property. 2909.2 The developer selected pursuant to § 2908 shall provide to those persons who do not choose to purchase their units, relocation assistance consistent with section 302 of the Rental Housing Conversion and Sale Act of 1980, as amended (D.C. Law 3-86; D.C. Official Code § 42-3403.02 (2001)). Elderly tenants shall be afforded the protections contained in § 208 of the same Act.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-2909, when a multi-family property is converted to a homestead, the selected developer must offer existing residents the first opportunity to purchase their own unit or a comparable one in the building. Residents who choose not to buy are entitled to relocation assistance aligned with the Rental Housing Conversion and Sale Act of 1980. Elderly tenants receive additional protections under that same Act.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Developers operating under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-2909 are generally expected to formally extend a right of first refusal to each current occupant before marketing units to outside buyers. For residents who decline to purchase, compliant developers arrange relocation assistance that meets the standards set by the Rental Housing Conversion and Sale Act of 1980, with heightened care taken for elderly tenants who qualify for extra protections under that law. Maintaining clear documentation of each offer made and each resident's response is a common practice for demonstrating compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-2909 gives residents of a multi-family property being converted to a homestead the right to be offered their unit—or a comparable one—before anyone else can purchase it. Tenants who decide not to buy are entitled to relocation assistance under the Rental Housing Conversion and Sale Act of 1980, and elderly tenants may have access to additional protections under that Act. Residents who believe these rights have not been honored may consider contacting the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate or a local tenant-rights organization to understand 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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation