DC Attorney General Inquires About Short-Term Rentals at 33 Apartment Buildings

• August 22nd 2018

by Nena Perry-Brown

Over the past two years, top brass in DC have been concerned over how to regulate short-term rentals and prevent the practice from depleting the availability of affordable apartments. Today, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is announcing another step in that direction.

Attorney General Karl Racine sent letters to the 19 owners and managers of 33 residential buildings in DC inquiring about the practice of short-term rentals being offered in addition to long-term leases. At issue is whether long-term tenants are aware of these practices occurring in their buildings. 

“Under the law, landlords are required to tell tenants if there are short-term rentals in their buildings,” Racine said in a statement. “We've heard complaints that some landlords misled their long-term residents about these rentals. Today’s letters put building owners and managers on notice that short-term rentals must comply with the District’s consumer protection and rent control laws.”

Most of the rentals in question are in high-demand neighborhoods like Capitol Hill and Logan and Dupont Circles. Listings appear to offer numerous rental options in each building, and long-term tenants have complained about being unaware of short-term rentals and the risks and disruption associated with them. The OAG's inquiries are requesting details about the circumstances and contracts associated with such rentals, as well as the means and content of notices provided to residents.

This is the latest in a string of actions by District agencies, the DC Council and the OAG to crack down on illegal short-term rentals. 

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/dc-oag-inquires-about-short-term-rentals-at-33-apartment-buildings/14350.