14 DCMR § 14-802
RESPONSIBILITIES OF TENANTS
Operative Text
802.1 In those portions of premises occupied for residential purposes under the exclusive control of a tenant, it shall be the responsibility of the tenant to observe the provisions of this chapter, unless otherwise indicated in this chapter. 802.2 In addition to the tenant’s responsibilities under § 800, the tenant shall specifically be responsible for the following: (a) Keeping the part of the premises that the tenant occupies and uses as clean and sanitary as the conditions of the premises permit; (b) Disposing from the tenant’s dwelling unit all rubbish, garbage, and other organic or flammable waste, in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner; (c) Keeping all plumbing fixtures as clean and sanitary as the condition of those fixtures permit; (d) Properly using and operating all electrical, gas, plumbing, and heating fixtures and appliances. 802.3 A tenant shall not do or permit any person on the premises with the tenant’s permission to do any of the following: (a) Willfully or wantonly destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the structure or dwelling unit; or (b) Willfully or wantonly destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the facilities, equipment, or appurtenances to the dwelling unit. 802.4 The tenant of each dwelling unit in multiple dwellings shall provide as needed for the tenant’s own use sufficient, lawful and separate receptacles for the storage of ashes, garbage, and refuse in the tenant’s own unit. 802.5 All garbage, refuse, and ashes of each unit shall be placed by the tenant in receptacles and transferred by the tenant to the designated place of common storage on the premises, unless the collection and transfer is provided by the operator.
Under D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. § 14-802, tenants in residential units bear responsibility for maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in the areas they exclusively control, properly using all fixtures and appliances, and disposing of waste in a safe and sanitary manner. The provision also prohibits tenants—and anyone they permit on the premises—from willfully or wantonly damaging, defacing, or removing any part of the structure, dwelling unit, or its equipment. Tenants in multi-unit buildings are generally required to store waste in lawful receptacles within their unit and transfer it to a designated common storage area, unless the operator arranges collection.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating residential units in the District of Columbia should be aware that § 14-802 of D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 14 et seq. places affirmative housekeeping and waste-disposal duties directly on tenants for the areas under their exclusive control. Compliant operators typically designate a clearly marked common storage area for garbage and refuse, and document whether they are providing collection and transfer services—since that arrangement affects what tenants are independently required to do under § 14-802.5. Operators also generally document any willful damage to fixtures or the structure, as § 14-802.3 establishes tenant liability for such conduct.
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. § 14-802 sets out specific housekeeping, waste-disposal, and property-care responsibilities that apply to tenants in the areas of a rental unit they exclusively occupy and use. Tenants have a corresponding interest in understanding these duties, because a landlord may cite § 14-802 in connection with lease enforcement, security-deposit disputes, or housing-code proceedings. Tenants who believe a landlord is misapplying this provision—for example, by attributing damage that predates their tenancy—may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or review complaint processes available through the District's housing authorities.
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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