Legal Question in Real Estate Law in District of Columbia

Stop listening to the "buzz" in your neighborhood. It is WRONG. A landlord in DC is required to have a Basic Business License ("BBL") and register with the Department of Consumer Affairs. Once the landlord registers the property, a property inspection is automatically triggered (looking for fire extinguishers and other basic building safety features). The City is far more concerned with units passing inspection than they are on clamping down on landlords for failing to have the license. If the landlord does not have the license, the City will give them an opportunity to get it up to date. I can't think of any circumstance in which you the landlord's failure to have a license would mean that the lease is void and you can get all your past rent back -- keep dreaming!

Best of luck.******The above is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client privilege.*******