During Cold Weather

When temperatures drop in the Washington area, tenants look to their building’s owners to provide adequate heat. If landlords fail to comply, they could face a fine of $1,000 and other potential penalties and fees from the DC Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).

What Landlords Must Do

Landlords must keep heating equipment in good repair and capable of maintaining a temperature of at least 70 degrees. In any living unit where the tenant cannot control or set the temperature, the building’s heat must be kept at least:

• 68 degrees between 6:30 am and 11 pm
• 65 degrees between 11 pm and 6:30 am

Get every furnace, boiler, and central heating system inspected between March 1 and September 1 of each year and submit the inspection report to DCRA.

What Tenants Must Do

Check your thermostat to make sure it’s on and in heat mode. Contact your landlord, property manager, or building superintendent to report your problem immediately. If your problem is not solved, call DCRA’s housing inspections staff at (202) 442-9557 to schedule and inspection. If you need assistance during non-business hours, please call 311. If you have heat or cold related emergency, please call 911.