Rooming Houses in the District of Columbia
Reporting Suspected Illegal Rooming Houses May Prevent Dangerous Conditions
DCRA inspects buildings to make sure they are legal and safe. The agency's job is to keep all DC residents safe—no matter what their legal status.
In accordance with the DCMR Title 11 Section 199, a rooming house is defined as a building or part thereof that provides sleeping accommodations for three (3) or more person, (up to 6 unrelated persons), who are not members of the immediate family of the resident operator or manager, and in which accommodations are not under the exclusive control of the occupants. A rooming house provides accommodations on a monthly or longer basis.
The term “rooming house” shall not be interpreted to include an establishment known as, or defined in this title as, a hotel, motel, inn, bed and breakfast, private club, tourist homes, guest house, or other transient accommodation (36 DCR 7627).If a home or a part of a home is being rented out, and it is not licensed, it probably does not have a certificate of occupancy or a basic business license (BBL).
Before you call to report a suspected rooming house, here are some questions you may answer to assist the city in any potential investigation.
- How many people do you believe live at the residence?
- Who is the owner, or landlord, or manager of the property?
- Please provide a telephone number(s) for any of the tenants or the property’s owner/landlord/manager:
- Does the owner, landlord, or manager live at the property?
- How many of the tenants are related?
- Are the tenants on separate leases?
- Do the tenants each have their own cooking/eating area in their rooms?
- Do the tenants each have their own separate bedroom door lock/key?
- How many mail boxes are located on the premises?
- Is there a Certificate of Occupancy and/or Basic Business License clearly posted?
- Do you think there are life/safety issues for the tenants or neighbors of the property? If so, what?
- Is the property well maintained?
- What is the best time of day to find any of the tenants at home?
When an owner applies for a certificate of occupancy or a BBL, DCRA is required to perform housing and building code inspections. Those inspections help ensure that the property has proper life safety equipment and facilities, such as smoke detectors; fire extinguishers in common areas; ceiling heights at least 6 feet, 8 inches tall; at least two doors or windows; and required distance between sleeping spaces and heating facilities. DCRA also strongly encourages using carbon monoxide detectors.
DCRA is asking residents to call (202) 442-4400 or
email if they suspect that a house is being used as an illegal rooming house.
