COMPREHENSIVE DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM – QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS AND CLEAR RATIONALES 2026
1. Which law governs most residential landlord–tenant relationships in
Washington, DC?
A. DC Consumer Protection Act
B. Federal Housing Act
C. Rental Housing Act of 1985
D. Uniform Residential Code
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Rental Housing Act of 1985 is the primary statute regulating residential rentals,
tenant rights, and landlord obligations in DC.
2. What is the maximum security deposit a landlord may collect in DC?
A. Two months’ rent
B. One month’s rent
C. One and a half months’ rent
D. No limit
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DC law limits security deposits to one month’s rent for residential units.
3. Within how many days must a landlord return a security deposit after tenancy
ends?
A. 30 days
B. 45 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The landlord has 45 days to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement of
deductions.
1|P age
,COMPREHENSIVE DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM – QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS AND CLEAR RATIONALES 2026
4. Security deposits must be held in:
A. Any operating account
B. A personal bank account
C. A separate interest-bearing escrow account
D. A city-managed account
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DC requires deposits to be held in an interest-bearing escrow account, separate from
operating funds.
5. Which agency administers rent control in DC?
A. HUD
B. Office of Tax and Revenue
C. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
D. Department of Buildings
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DHCD oversees rent control, rent registry, and housing regulations.
6. Which property is generally exempt from rent control?
A. All apartment buildings
B. Single-family homes
C. Properties built after 1975
D. Condominiums
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Units constructed after 1975 are typically exempt from rent control.
7. How much notice is required for a rent increase?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days
2|P age
, COMPREHENSIVE DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM – QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS AND CLEAR RATIONALES 2026
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DC law requires 90 days’ written notice before a rent increase.
8. What is the maximum late fee allowed?
A. $25
B. $50
C. 5% of monthly rent
D. 10% of rent
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Late fees may not exceed 5% of the monthly rent.
9. Which practice violates Fair Housing laws?
A. Credit screening
B. Income verification
C. Refusing to rent to families with children
D. Requiring references
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Family status is a protected class under Fair Housing laws.
10. Which is a protected class under federal Fair Housing law?
A. Income level
B. Occupation
C. Disability
D. Education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Disability is explicitly protected under the Fair Housing Act.
11. Reasonable accommodation includes:
A. Waiving rent
B. Ignoring lease rules
3|P age
ANSWERS AND CLEAR RATIONALES 2026
1. Which law governs most residential landlord–tenant relationships in
Washington, DC?
A. DC Consumer Protection Act
B. Federal Housing Act
C. Rental Housing Act of 1985
D. Uniform Residential Code
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Rental Housing Act of 1985 is the primary statute regulating residential rentals,
tenant rights, and landlord obligations in DC.
2. What is the maximum security deposit a landlord may collect in DC?
A. Two months’ rent
B. One month’s rent
C. One and a half months’ rent
D. No limit
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DC law limits security deposits to one month’s rent for residential units.
3. Within how many days must a landlord return a security deposit after tenancy
ends?
A. 30 days
B. 45 days
C. 60 days
D. 90 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The landlord has 45 days to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement of
deductions.
1|P age
,COMPREHENSIVE DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM – QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS AND CLEAR RATIONALES 2026
4. Security deposits must be held in:
A. Any operating account
B. A personal bank account
C. A separate interest-bearing escrow account
D. A city-managed account
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DC requires deposits to be held in an interest-bearing escrow account, separate from
operating funds.
5. Which agency administers rent control in DC?
A. HUD
B. Office of Tax and Revenue
C. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
D. Department of Buildings
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DHCD oversees rent control, rent registry, and housing regulations.
6. Which property is generally exempt from rent control?
A. All apartment buildings
B. Single-family homes
C. Properties built after 1975
D. Condominiums
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Units constructed after 1975 are typically exempt from rent control.
7. How much notice is required for a rent increase?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days
2|P age
, COMPREHENSIVE DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM – QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS AND CLEAR RATIONALES 2026
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: DC law requires 90 days’ written notice before a rent increase.
8. What is the maximum late fee allowed?
A. $25
B. $50
C. 5% of monthly rent
D. 10% of rent
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Late fees may not exceed 5% of the monthly rent.
9. Which practice violates Fair Housing laws?
A. Credit screening
B. Income verification
C. Refusing to rent to families with children
D. Requiring references
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Family status is a protected class under Fair Housing laws.
10. Which is a protected class under federal Fair Housing law?
A. Income level
B. Occupation
C. Disability
D. Education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Disability is explicitly protected under the Fair Housing Act.
11. Reasonable accommodation includes:
A. Waiving rent
B. Ignoring lease rules
3|P age
