14 DCMR § 14-600
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Operative Text
600.1 The owner or licensee of each residential building shall provide and maintain the facilities, utilities, and fixtures required by this section. 600.2 Each facility, utility or fixture shall be properly and safely installed, and shall be maintained in a safe and good working condition. 600.3 Where a utility (such as water, electricity, gas or other fuels, or sewer or refuse service) is the responsibility of, or under the control of, the owner or licensee of any residential building, the utility shall be furnished and maintained by the owner or licensee in the quantities needed for normal occupancy. 600.4 Whenever an owner or licensee of any residential building furnishes any facilities for cooking, storage, or refrigeration of food, those facilities shall be maintained by the owner or licensee 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, 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. § 14-600, owners and licensees of residential buildings in the District of Columbia are required to provide and keep in safe, good working order all facilities, utilities, and fixtures necessary for normal occupancy. When the owner or licensee controls utilities such as water, electricity, gas, or sewer service, those utilities must be supplied in quantities sufficient for normal use. Any cooking, food storage, or refrigeration equipment furnished by the owner or licensee must likewise be kept in a safe and functional condition.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Compliance with D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-600 generally means that property owners and licensees keep all required facilities, utilities, and fixtures properly installed and in safe, good working condition throughout a tenancy. Where the owner or licensee controls utilities—such as water, electricity, gas, or refuse service—those utilities are furnished in quantities adequate for normal occupancy. Operators who provide cooking or refrigeration equipment as part of the rental are responsible for maintaining that equipment in a safe and functional state.
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. § 14-600 establishes that tenants in District of Columbia residential buildings are entitled to have required facilities, utilities, and fixtures provided and maintained in safe, good working condition by the owner or licensee. If an owner controls utilities or has furnished cooking or refrigeration equipment, those must be kept operational and adequate for normal use. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may consider filing a complaint with the District's housing inspection authorities, raising the violation as a defense in relevant proceedings, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general information about 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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