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Vacant Property
The DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) has exclusive authority to classify vacant buildings as granted through the "Nuisance Properties Abatement Reform and Real Property Classification Amendment Act of 2008." DCRA continually monitors the District's more than 180,000 properties on a daily basis and investigates complaints from residents and referrals from other agencies and organizations.
The DCRA Vacant Property Unit conducts an initial four point survey/inspection to determine whether or not the property (1) appeared vacant, (2) had excessive vegetation and (3) graffiti and (4) was open and accessible. If the survey/inspections provides convincing evidence that the property is vacant, a letter is sent the owner of record.
Property owners have the opportunity to provide evidence that the home is either a) "occupied" or b) is vacant and qualifies for an exemption from the vacant property tax rate. It is the responsibility of the property owner to register their property as vacant within 30 days of being unoccupied. Unoccupied means no one is currently living in the home and has no intention of returning.
If you believe a property is vacant is would like to report it to the Office of Vacant Property, please call 311.
Please review the following information regarding the DCRA Vacant Property Initiative. Customers are encouraged to call (202) 442-4332 for an update on the property's status or email vacantproperty@dc.gov.
Vacant Property Information
A list of properties DCRA has determined to be vacant is posted below. If you feel your property is listed in error, please contact DCRA's Vacant Property Unit at (202) 442-4332 immediately or email vacantproperty@dc.gov. If you are considering purchasing a property on this list, please speak with your real estate agent and or title company to ensure the tax classification is adjusted. Note: This list is organized by address number. To find your property, enter the four-digit address number and click on "find". If the address you are looking for has fewer than four-digits, please enter zero(s) before the number. For example, to search of 23 Pine Street, enter "0023".
Question & Answers
What if I leave on vacation for two months? What if I am selling my house? What if I just bought a house that was registered as vacant?
Answers to these questions and more are available below.
Notice: New Laws in Effect as of October 1, 2008
Beginning October 1, 2008 all properties classified as vacant by DCRA and do meet any of the exemptions will be subject to the new vacant property tax assessment of $10 per $100 assessed value. More information on the new law is available in the Vacant Property Q&A.
Fact Sheets
Online Information and Services
Appeal Form & Instructions
The DCRA Office of Vacant Property is now accepting vacant property designation appeal forms online. Please download the fillable form below and complete in its entirety. You can then email the form to the Office of Vacant Property at vacantproperty@dc.gov. You can also print the form and fax to (202) 442-9445. What Happens After I Appeal?
- If you ask to appear before the OVP, you’ll be notified by mail and phone of the date and time you must appear. If you don’t ask to appear, the OVP will decide your appeal based on the information on this form, the attachments, and information from the DCRA inspector.
- The OVP will issue a Notice of Final Determination within 30 days after it gets your Vacant Property Appeal Form.
- You have the right to appeal an adverse decision of the OVP to the Board of Real Property Assessment and Appeals (BRPAA), 441 4th Street, NW #430S, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 727-6860. The deadline to file an appeal with BRPAA is 45 days after the date the OVP issues your Notice of Final Determination.
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