District of Columbia Condo conversion protections

Condo conversion protections in District of Columbia

A rental building cannot be converted to a condo or co-op until the Mayor certifies compliance with the conversion law (which includes a tenant election). Statute text: "(1) An owner shall not convert a housing accommodation into a condominium or a cooperative until the Mayor certifies compliance with the provisions of this chapter." (D.C. Code § 42–3402.02). Separately, under the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, before selling a rental building or issuing a notice to vacate for demolition or discontinuance of housing use, the owner must give tenants the opportunity to buy it on bona fide terms (D.C. Code § 42-3404.02(a)). Statute text: "Before an owner of a housing accommodation may sell the housing accommodation or issue a notice to vacate for purposes of demolition or discontinuance of housing use, the owner shall give the tenant an opportunity to purchase the housing accommodation at a price and terms that represent a bona fide offer of sale."

Verified Source: D.C. Code § 42-3402.02; D.C. Code § 42-3404.02 (TOPA) · last checked 2026-10-23