14 DCMR § 14-508
CONTROL AND MAINTENANCE OF MECHANICAL VENTILATION
Operative Text
508.1 If mechanical ventilation is provided for any residential building by the owner or licensee, the owner or licensee shall maintain that system in safe and good working condition. 508.2 If the mechanical ventilation system is not under the control of the occupant of any habitation, the owner or licensee of the residential building shall keep that equipment in constant and continuous operation.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-508, when a residential building's owner or licensee provides mechanical ventilation, that system must be kept in safe and good working condition at all times. Additionally, if the ventilation system is not under the individual occupant's control, the owner or licensee is required to run it on a constant and continuous basis. This rule establishes a baseline standard for ventilation maintenance and operation in District of Columbia residential buildings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-508 places the responsibility for mechanical ventilation maintenance squarely on owners and licensees who provide such systems in their residential buildings. Compliant operators generally conduct regular inspections and prompt repairs to keep ventilation equipment in safe and good working condition. Where tenants do not have individual control over the ventilation system, operators typically ensure the system runs continuously without interruption to meet the provision's requirements.
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. § 14-508 gives residential tenants a basis to expect that any mechanical ventilation system provided by their building's owner or licensee will be properly maintained and, where the tenant has no individual control over it, kept running at all times. If a ventilation system appears broken, poorly maintained, or has been shut off without tenant control, this provision may be relevant to a housing complaint or code enforcement action. Tenants experiencing such conditions may consider documenting the issue, contacting the District of Columbia's housing inspection authorities, or reaching out to 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.
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