14 DCMR § 14-500
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Operative Text
500.1 The owner of a building used for residential purposes shall provide that building with adequate facilities for heating, ventilating, and lighting. 500.2 Each facility provided and maintained to comply with this section shall be properly and safely installed, and shall be maintained in a safe and good working condition. AUTHORITY: Unless otherwise noted, the authority for this chapter is contained in paragraphs 28 and 46 of section 7 of An Act Making appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and three, and for other purposes (“Act of 1902”), Public, No.218, 32 Stat. 590, approved July 1, 1902, as amended by: An Act approved July 1, 1932 to amend section 7 [of the Act of 1902], Public, No. 237, 47 Stat. 550; and An Act approved July 22, 1947, Public Law 215, 61 Stat. 402.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-500, residential building owners in the District of Columbia are required to supply adequate heating, ventilation, and lighting throughout their buildings. Any systems or facilities installed to meet these requirements must be properly and safely set up and kept in safe, good working order. This provision establishes a baseline standard of habitability tied to essential building systems.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-500 places the responsibility squarely on building owners to ensure that heating, ventilation, and lighting facilities are not only present but adequate for residential use. Compliant operators generally conduct routine inspections of these systems, address maintenance issues promptly, and keep records of repairs and servicing. Ensuring that all installations meet safety standards from the outset—and remain in good working condition over time—reflects the ongoing nature of this obligation.
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. § 14-500 gives residential tenants in the District a basis to expect that their building's heating, ventilation, and lighting systems are adequate and maintained in safe, working condition. If these systems are deficient or fall into disrepair, tenants may have grounds to raise a violation of this provision when pursuing remedies, which can include filing a complaint with the District's housing inspection authorities or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with D.C. housing code. Documenting the condition of affected systems—such as through written notices to the landlord and photographs—is a step commonly associated with asserting rights under provisions like this one.
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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