DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM 2026/2027 |
VERIFIED PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CORRECT
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES | DC-
SPECIFIC LICENSING & PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT STUDY GUIDE | A+ GRADE |
JUST RELEASED PDF
DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM 2026/2027
VERIFIED PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CORRECT ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
DC-SPECIFIC LICENSING & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT STUDY GUIDE
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DOCUMENT OVERVIEW:
• This comprehensive study guide contains 200 verified practice questions with
detailed rationales covering all DC property management exam topics—fair
housing, tenant laws, financial management, maintenance standards, and DC-
specific regulations—designed to ensure A+ grade performance.
• Study methodology: Work through questions systematically by topic area, review
detailed rationales for incorrect answers, memorize key DC regulations and
statutory citations, and take multiple practice attempts to achieve mastery before
exam day.
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1. Under DC Code § 42-3502.17, what is the maximum rent increase that can be
imposed on a tenant in a rent-controlled apartment in DC?
A) 3% without any tenant notice
B) The landlord determines the increase with 60 days' notice
C) The percentage set by DC's Rent Control Board based on inflation and other
factors
D) Unlimited increases are permitted in DC
,E) 5% fixed regardless of circumstances
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) The percentage set by DC's Rent Control Board based
on inflation and other factors
RATIONALE: DC Code § 42-3502.17 establishes that rent increases for rent-
controlled apartments are limited to a percentage determined annually by the DC
Rent Control Board. This percentage is calculated based on inflation indices and
other economic factors. The board sets a maximum allowable increase each year,
which landlords cannot exceed. Answers A, B, D, and E are incorrect because they
do not reflect DC's actual rent control regulations. DC does not permit unlimited
increases (D), does not allow landlords unilateral determination (B), and the
increase is not fixed at 3% or 5% (A and E).
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2. Which of the following statements accurately reflects DC law regarding
security deposits?
A) Landlords may deduct any amount for normal wear and tear
B) Security deposits must be held in an interest-bearing account and returned
within 30 days of lease termination
C) Tenants have no right to inspect the property before move-out
D) Landlords may commingle security deposits with operating funds
E) Security deposits can be used to cover unpaid rent without written justification
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Security deposits must be held in an interest-bearing
account and returned within 30 days of lease termination
RATIONALE: DC Code § 42-3502.17G requires that security deposits be held in
interest-bearing accounts and returned within 30 days of lease termination, with
interest paid to the tenant. Answer A is incorrect because normal wear and tear
deductions are prohibited. Answer C is incorrect because tenants have inspection
rights. Answer D violates DC law—commingling is prohibited. Answer E is incorrect
because deductions require itemized written justification and are limited to specific
lease violations and damages beyond normal wear and tear.
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3. A tenant in a DC rent-controlled apartment requests repairs for a non-
functioning heating system in December. What is the landlord's legal
obligation?
A) The landlord has 60 days to complete repairs
B) The landlord must provide heat within 72 hours and maintain minimum
temperatures of 68°F when outdoor temperature is below 55°F
C) Heat is not considered essential maintenance in DC
D) The landlord may delay repairs until spring
E) The tenant must hire a contractor and deduct costs from rent
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) The landlord must provide heat within 72 hours and
maintain minimum temperatures of 68°F when outdoor temperature is below
55°F
RATIONALE: DC Code § 42-3502.17 and the DC Housing Code establish that
landlords must provide adequate heat, including maintenance of minimum
temperatures (68°F when outdoor temperature drops below 55°F). Failure to
provide heat is a serious breach of the implied warranty of habitability. The 72-hour
timeframe reflects the emergency nature of heating failures in winter. Answer A (60
days) is too long for essential services. Answer C is false—heat is essential. Answer
D allows unlawful delay. Answer E permits self-help remedies not authorized by DC
law for all situations.
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4. Under DC fair housing law, which type of discrimination is explicitly
prohibited?
A) Only race-based discrimination
B) Race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status
C) Only age-based discrimination
, D) Discrimination based on source of income is explicitly permitted
E) Sexual orientation and gender identity are not protected in DC
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability,
and familial status
RATIONALE: DC Code § 42-3502.17 and the Fair Housing Act protect individuals
from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability,
and familial status. DC has expanded protections to also include source of income,
sexual orientation, and gender identity. Answer A is too narrow. Answer C is
incorrect—age is not a protected class in housing under federal law. Answer D is
false—source of income discrimination is prohibited in DC. Answer E is false—DC
explicitly protects sexual orientation and gender identity.
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5. A landlord in DC wants to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent. What is
the minimum notice period required before filing for eviction?
A) Immediate eviction is permitted
B) 14 days' written notice
C) 30 days' written notice
D) 60 days' written notice
E) 90 days' written notice
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) 14 days' written notice
RATIONALE: DC Code § 42-3505.01 requires landlords to provide a 14-day written
notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction due to nonpayment of rent. This
notice period gives tenants an opportunity to pay outstanding rent and cure the
default. Answer C (30 days) applies to other lease violations. Answers D and E are
excessive and not required by law. Answer A is incorrect—notice is mandatory.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
════════════════════════
VERIFIED PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CORRECT
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES | DC-
SPECIFIC LICENSING & PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT STUDY GUIDE | A+ GRADE |
JUST RELEASED PDF
DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM 2026/2027
VERIFIED PRACTICE QUESTIONS, CORRECT ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES
DC-SPECIFIC LICENSING & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT STUDY GUIDE
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
════════════════════════
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW:
• This comprehensive study guide contains 200 verified practice questions with
detailed rationales covering all DC property management exam topics—fair
housing, tenant laws, financial management, maintenance standards, and DC-
specific regulations—designed to ensure A+ grade performance.
• Study methodology: Work through questions systematically by topic area, review
detailed rationales for incorrect answers, memorize key DC regulations and
statutory citations, and take multiple practice attempts to achieve mastery before
exam day.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
════════════════════════
1. Under DC Code § 42-3502.17, what is the maximum rent increase that can be
imposed on a tenant in a rent-controlled apartment in DC?
A) 3% without any tenant notice
B) The landlord determines the increase with 60 days' notice
C) The percentage set by DC's Rent Control Board based on inflation and other
factors
D) Unlimited increases are permitted in DC
,E) 5% fixed regardless of circumstances
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) The percentage set by DC's Rent Control Board based
on inflation and other factors
RATIONALE: DC Code § 42-3502.17 establishes that rent increases for rent-
controlled apartments are limited to a percentage determined annually by the DC
Rent Control Board. This percentage is calculated based on inflation indices and
other economic factors. The board sets a maximum allowable increase each year,
which landlords cannot exceed. Answers A, B, D, and E are incorrect because they
do not reflect DC's actual rent control regulations. DC does not permit unlimited
increases (D), does not allow landlords unilateral determination (B), and the
increase is not fixed at 3% or 5% (A and E).
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
════════════════════════
2. Which of the following statements accurately reflects DC law regarding
security deposits?
A) Landlords may deduct any amount for normal wear and tear
B) Security deposits must be held in an interest-bearing account and returned
within 30 days of lease termination
C) Tenants have no right to inspect the property before move-out
D) Landlords may commingle security deposits with operating funds
E) Security deposits can be used to cover unpaid rent without written justification
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Security deposits must be held in an interest-bearing
account and returned within 30 days of lease termination
RATIONALE: DC Code § 42-3502.17G requires that security deposits be held in
interest-bearing accounts and returned within 30 days of lease termination, with
interest paid to the tenant. Answer A is incorrect because normal wear and tear
deductions are prohibited. Answer C is incorrect because tenants have inspection
rights. Answer D violates DC law—commingling is prohibited. Answer E is incorrect
because deductions require itemized written justification and are limited to specific
lease violations and damages beyond normal wear and tear.
,═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
════════════════════════
3. A tenant in a DC rent-controlled apartment requests repairs for a non-
functioning heating system in December. What is the landlord's legal
obligation?
A) The landlord has 60 days to complete repairs
B) The landlord must provide heat within 72 hours and maintain minimum
temperatures of 68°F when outdoor temperature is below 55°F
C) Heat is not considered essential maintenance in DC
D) The landlord may delay repairs until spring
E) The tenant must hire a contractor and deduct costs from rent
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) The landlord must provide heat within 72 hours and
maintain minimum temperatures of 68°F when outdoor temperature is below
55°F
RATIONALE: DC Code § 42-3502.17 and the DC Housing Code establish that
landlords must provide adequate heat, including maintenance of minimum
temperatures (68°F when outdoor temperature drops below 55°F). Failure to
provide heat is a serious breach of the implied warranty of habitability. The 72-hour
timeframe reflects the emergency nature of heating failures in winter. Answer A (60
days) is too long for essential services. Answer C is false—heat is essential. Answer
D allows unlawful delay. Answer E permits self-help remedies not authorized by DC
law for all situations.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
════════════════════════
4. Under DC fair housing law, which type of discrimination is explicitly
prohibited?
A) Only race-based discrimination
B) Race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familial status
C) Only age-based discrimination
, D) Discrimination based on source of income is explicitly permitted
E) Sexual orientation and gender identity are not protected in DC
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability,
and familial status
RATIONALE: DC Code § 42-3502.17 and the Fair Housing Act protect individuals
from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability,
and familial status. DC has expanded protections to also include source of income,
sexual orientation, and gender identity. Answer A is too narrow. Answer C is
incorrect—age is not a protected class in housing under federal law. Answer D is
false—source of income discrimination is prohibited in DC. Answer E is false—DC
explicitly protects sexual orientation and gender identity.
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════
════════════════════════
5. A landlord in DC wants to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent. What is
the minimum notice period required before filing for eviction?
A) Immediate eviction is permitted
B) 14 days' written notice
C) 30 days' written notice
D) 60 days' written notice
E) 90 days' written notice
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) 14 days' written notice
RATIONALE: DC Code § 42-3505.01 requires landlords to provide a 14-day written
notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction due to nonpayment of rent. This
notice period gives tenants an opportunity to pay outstanding rent and cure the
default. Answer C (30 days) applies to other lease violations. Answers D and E are
excessive and not required by law. Answer A is incorrect—notice is mandatory.
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