Dc Property Manager Exam 2026/2027 | Practice Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales | Dcra/Dlcp-Aligned Property Management Study Guide | A+ Grade | Just Released Pdf

DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM 2026/2027 |
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, VERIFIED ANSWERS
& DETAILED RATIONALES | DCRA/DLCP-
ALIGNED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT STUDY
GUIDE | A+ GRADE | JUST RELEASED PDF
DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM 2026/2027 | VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED
RATIONALES

• Comprehensive 250-question practice guide covering all exam domains with
verified DC-specific answers and in-depth rationales to reinforce your
understanding of property management principles and DC regulations

• Strategic study tool designed for mastery-level preparation—work through all
questions, review rationales carefully, and retake weak areas to build confident
exam performance



Question 1: Under DC law, what is the maximum amount a property manager
can charge as a nonrefundable pet fee?

A) $250

B) $500

C) $750

D) $1,000

E) DC law does not establish a maximum amount for nonrefundable pet fees

✓ CORRECT ANSWER: E) DC law does not establish a maximum amount for
nonrefundable pet fees

RATIONALE: DC law does not impose a statutory maximum on nonrefundable pet
fees. However, property managers must ensure that any pet policy and associated
charges are clearly disclosed in the lease agreement and compliant with fair
housing laws. The fee must be reasonable and disclosed upfront. Tenants have the
right to keep assistance animals (service dogs and emotional support animals)
regardless of pet policies or fees.

,Question 2: Which of the following is a requirement for security deposit
handling under DC law?

A) Security deposits may be held in a personal bank account

B) Security deposits must be held in an interest-bearing account and interest
accrued must be paid to the tenant

C) A property manager may commingle security deposits with operational funds

D) Security deposits may earn interest that the owner retains

E) There is no requirement regarding how security deposits are held

✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Security deposits must be held in an interest-bearing
account and interest accrued must be paid to the tenant

RATIONALE: DC law requires that security deposits be held in an interest-bearing
deposit account in a financial institution located in DC or a contiguous state. The
interest must be calculated at the rate paid by the financial institution and must be
paid to the tenant at the end of the tenancy or applied toward the final rent
payment. Security deposits cannot be commingled with operational funds and
must be kept separate and protected from creditors.



Question 3: Under DC's Fair Housing Act, which of the following is NOT a
protected class?

A) Race

B) Color

C) Religion

D) Marital status

E) National origin

✓ CORRECT ANSWER: D) Marital status

,RATIONALE: DC's Fair Housing Act protects the following classes: race, color,
religion, national origin, sex, family status, disability, source of income, sexual
orientation, and gender identity. While some jurisdictions protect marital status, DC
does not explicitly include marital status as a protected class under its fair housing
laws. However, property managers must still ensure they do not discriminate based
on any protected characteristics when making housing decisions.



Question 4: What is the proper procedure for a property manager to return a
security deposit in DC?

A) Return within 10 days of lease termination

B) Return within 30 days with an itemized statement of deductions

C) Return within 45 days with written justification

D) Return within 60 days with a general accounting

E) There is no specific timeframe requirement

✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Return within 30 days with an itemized statement of
deductions

RATIONALE: DC law requires that security deposits be returned within 30 days of
lease termination. If deductions are made, the property manager must provide an
itemized statement detailing the reason for each deduction, the amount deducted,
and how those amounts were calculated. The statement must be specific and clear.
If no itemized statement is provided within the 30-day period, the tenant may be
entitled to recover twice the wrongfully withheld amount plus court costs and
attorney fees.



Question 5: Which regulatory body in DC is primarily responsible for enforcing
housing and property management regulations?

A) DC Department of Energy and Environment

B) DC Department of Housing and Community Development

, C) DC Department of Transportation

D) DC Department of General Services

E) District of Columbia Rental Accommodations Commission

✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) DC Department of Housing and Community
Development

RATIONALE: The DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
is the primary agency responsible for enforcing housing regulations, including
security deposit laws, lease violations, and housing quality standards. The DCRA
(Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs) also plays a significant
enforcement role in property maintenance and safety violations. However, DHCD is
the lead agency for tenant-landlord disputes and housing regulation enforcement.



Question 6: Under DC law, how much advance notice must a property
manager provide before entering a rental unit for non-emergency repairs?

A) 24 hours

B) 48 hours

C) 72 hours

D) 5 business days

E) 7 calendar days

✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) 48 hours

RATIONALE: DC law requires that property managers or landlords provide at least
48 hours' notice before entering a rental unit for maintenance, repairs, or
inspections (except in emergencies). The notice must be in writing and must specify
the reason for entry and the date and time of entry. Entry for emergency repairs
(such as fire, flood, or gas leaks) may occur without advance notice, but the
property manager must document the emergency and notify the tenant as soon as
reasonably practicable.