DC Property Manager Exam – Updated 2026/2027 Actual Exam
2026/2027: Complete Exam-Style Questions with Detailed Rationales
| 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | DC Landlord-Tenant Laws & DCRA Regulations | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Leasing, Contracts & Agency Relationships | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Property Maintenance & Habitability Standards | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Fair Housing, Ethics & Civil Rights Compliance | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Financial Operations, Trust Accounting & Risk Management | Q41 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 80% in 90 minutes.
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: DC LANDLORD-TENANT LAWS & DCRA REGULATIONS Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 42-year-old property manager in Adams Morgan is handling a tenant turnover in a
rent-controlled apartment. The outgoing tenant has lived in the unit for 12 years and the
current rent is $1,450 per month. The property manager wants to determine the
maximum allowable rent increase for the new tenant under DC's Rent Stabilization
Program. Which factor primarily determines the new base rent?
A. The property manager's discretion based on market comparables
B. The previous tenant's rent plus any allowable vacancy increase and capital
improvement pass-throughs ✓ CORRECT
C. The average rent for similar units in the surrounding neighborhood
D. A flat 20% increase regardless of the previous rent amount
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under DC's Rent Stabilization Program, the new base rent is calculated from
the previous tenant's lawful rent plus any allowable vacancy increase and approved
capital improvement surcharges, not from market rates or arbitrary percentages. The
,program limits how much rent can increase between tenants to protect housing
affordability. Property managers must maintain detailed rent records and register units
with the DC Rental Accommodations Division to ensure compliance and avoid rent
rollback orders.
Question 2 of 50
A 38-year-old property manager in Columbia Heights receives a written complaint from
a tenant about a leaking roof that has caused water damage to the bedroom ceiling.
The tenant has documented the issue with photos and sent the complaint via certified
mail. Under DC law, how much time does the landlord have to make a good-faith effort
to correct the condition?
A. 7 days from receipt of the written notice
B. 30 days from receipt of the written notice ✓ CORRECT
C. 60 days from receipt of the written notice
D. 90 days from receipt of the written notice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DC landlord-tenant law requires landlords to make a good-faith effort to
correct housing code violations within 30 days of receiving written notice from the
tenant, and failure to do so may entitle the tenant to remedies including rent abatement
or repair-and-deduct. Seven days is too short for most substantial repairs, while 60 or 90
days exceeds the statutory requirement. Property managers should document all repair
efforts with dates, contractor invoices, and photographic evidence to defend against
potential housing code enforcement actions.
Question 3 of 50
A 51-year-old landlord in Georgetown owns a four-unit apartment building constructed
in 1985. He asks his property manager whether the building is subject to DC's rent
,control laws. Which criterion determines whether a rental unit is covered by the Rent
Stabilization Program?
A. All rental units in DC are automatically subject to rent control
B. Units in buildings with four or more units and a certificate of occupancy issued
before 1976 are generally covered ✓ CORRECT
C. Only units in buildings with 10 or more units are subject to rent control
D. Rent control applies only to units occupied by senior citizens or disabled residents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DC's Rent Stabilization Program generally covers rental units in buildings
containing four or more units that received a certificate of occupancy prior to January 1,
1976, with specific exemptions for certain government-subsidized units and
owner-occupied buildings. The 1985 construction date in this scenario means the
building likely falls outside rent control unless it was substantially rehabilitated under a
specific exemption program. Property managers must verify a building's certificate of
occupancy date and exemption status before setting rental rates to avoid serious
regulatory violations.
Question 4 of 50
A 35-year-old property manager in Dupont Circle is processing an eviction for
nonpayment of rent. The tenant has failed to pay rent for two consecutive months.
Under DC law, which notice must the landlord serve before filing an eviction action in
court?
A. A 24-hour notice to vacate
B. A 30-day notice to quit or pay rent ✓ CORRECT
C. A 60-day notice of lease termination
D. A 90-day notice of non-renewal
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: DC law requires landlords to serve tenants with a 30-day notice to quit or pay
rent before initiating eviction proceedings for nonpayment, giving the tenant an
opportunity to cure the default by paying the outstanding amount. Twenty-four-hour
notices are not used for nonpayment evictions in DC, and 60- or 90-day notices apply to
lease terminations rather than payment defaults. Property managers must ensure that
notices are properly served and documented, as procedural defects can result in
dismissal of the eviction case and liability for the tenant's attorney fees.
Question 5 of 50
A 44-year-old property manager in Capitol Hill is registering a new rental property with
the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). She needs to obtain a
Basic Business License for the property. Which requirement must be completed before
the BBL can be issued?
A. Payment of the annual property tax in full
B. A clean hands certification and compliance with housing code standards ✓
CORRECT
C. Submission of architectural plans for all unit renovations
D. A personal credit check on the property owner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DCRA requires a clean hands certification confirming that the applicant has
no outstanding debts to the District, along with verification that the property meets
housing code standards, before issuing a Basic Business License for rental housing.
Property taxes are handled separately by the Office of Tax and Revenue, and
architectural plans are only required for construction permits. Operating a rental
property without a valid BBL exposes the landlord to fines, stop-work orders, and
inability to file eviction actions.
Question 6 of 50
2026/2027: Complete Exam-Style Questions with Detailed Rationales
| 100% Verified | Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 | DC Landlord-Tenant Laws & DCRA Regulations | Q1 – Q10
Section 2 | Leasing, Contracts & Agency Relationships | Q11 – Q20
Section 3 | Property Maintenance & Habitability Standards | Q21 – Q30
Section 4 | Fair Housing, Ethics & Civil Rights Compliance | Q31 – Q40
Section 5 | Financial Operations, Trust Accounting & Risk Management | Q41 – Q50
Instructions: Choose the single best answer. Pass: 80% in 90 minutes.
══════════════════════════════════════
SECTION 1: DC LANDLORD-TENANT LAWS & DCRA REGULATIONS Q1 – Q10
══════════════════════════════════════
Question 1 of 50
A 42-year-old property manager in Adams Morgan is handling a tenant turnover in a
rent-controlled apartment. The outgoing tenant has lived in the unit for 12 years and the
current rent is $1,450 per month. The property manager wants to determine the
maximum allowable rent increase for the new tenant under DC's Rent Stabilization
Program. Which factor primarily determines the new base rent?
A. The property manager's discretion based on market comparables
B. The previous tenant's rent plus any allowable vacancy increase and capital
improvement pass-throughs ✓ CORRECT
C. The average rent for similar units in the surrounding neighborhood
D. A flat 20% increase regardless of the previous rent amount
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Under DC's Rent Stabilization Program, the new base rent is calculated from
the previous tenant's lawful rent plus any allowable vacancy increase and approved
capital improvement surcharges, not from market rates or arbitrary percentages. The
,program limits how much rent can increase between tenants to protect housing
affordability. Property managers must maintain detailed rent records and register units
with the DC Rental Accommodations Division to ensure compliance and avoid rent
rollback orders.
Question 2 of 50
A 38-year-old property manager in Columbia Heights receives a written complaint from
a tenant about a leaking roof that has caused water damage to the bedroom ceiling.
The tenant has documented the issue with photos and sent the complaint via certified
mail. Under DC law, how much time does the landlord have to make a good-faith effort
to correct the condition?
A. 7 days from receipt of the written notice
B. 30 days from receipt of the written notice ✓ CORRECT
C. 60 days from receipt of the written notice
D. 90 days from receipt of the written notice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DC landlord-tenant law requires landlords to make a good-faith effort to
correct housing code violations within 30 days of receiving written notice from the
tenant, and failure to do so may entitle the tenant to remedies including rent abatement
or repair-and-deduct. Seven days is too short for most substantial repairs, while 60 or 90
days exceeds the statutory requirement. Property managers should document all repair
efforts with dates, contractor invoices, and photographic evidence to defend against
potential housing code enforcement actions.
Question 3 of 50
A 51-year-old landlord in Georgetown owns a four-unit apartment building constructed
in 1985. He asks his property manager whether the building is subject to DC's rent
,control laws. Which criterion determines whether a rental unit is covered by the Rent
Stabilization Program?
A. All rental units in DC are automatically subject to rent control
B. Units in buildings with four or more units and a certificate of occupancy issued
before 1976 are generally covered ✓ CORRECT
C. Only units in buildings with 10 or more units are subject to rent control
D. Rent control applies only to units occupied by senior citizens or disabled residents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DC's Rent Stabilization Program generally covers rental units in buildings
containing four or more units that received a certificate of occupancy prior to January 1,
1976, with specific exemptions for certain government-subsidized units and
owner-occupied buildings. The 1985 construction date in this scenario means the
building likely falls outside rent control unless it was substantially rehabilitated under a
specific exemption program. Property managers must verify a building's certificate of
occupancy date and exemption status before setting rental rates to avoid serious
regulatory violations.
Question 4 of 50
A 35-year-old property manager in Dupont Circle is processing an eviction for
nonpayment of rent. The tenant has failed to pay rent for two consecutive months.
Under DC law, which notice must the landlord serve before filing an eviction action in
court?
A. A 24-hour notice to vacate
B. A 30-day notice to quit or pay rent ✓ CORRECT
C. A 60-day notice of lease termination
D. A 90-day notice of non-renewal
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: DC law requires landlords to serve tenants with a 30-day notice to quit or pay
rent before initiating eviction proceedings for nonpayment, giving the tenant an
opportunity to cure the default by paying the outstanding amount. Twenty-four-hour
notices are not used for nonpayment evictions in DC, and 60- or 90-day notices apply to
lease terminations rather than payment defaults. Property managers must ensure that
notices are properly served and documented, as procedural defects can result in
dismissal of the eviction case and liability for the tenant's attorney fees.
Question 5 of 50
A 44-year-old property manager in Capitol Hill is registering a new rental property with
the DC Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). She needs to obtain a
Basic Business License for the property. Which requirement must be completed before
the BBL can be issued?
A. Payment of the annual property tax in full
B. A clean hands certification and compliance with housing code standards ✓
CORRECT
C. Submission of architectural plans for all unit renovations
D. A personal credit check on the property owner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DCRA requires a clean hands certification confirming that the applicant has
no outstanding debts to the District, along with verification that the property meets
housing code standards, before issuing a Basic Business License for rental housing.
Property taxes are handled separately by the Office of Tax and Revenue, and
architectural plans are only required for construction permits. Operating a rental
property without a valid BBL exposes the landlord to fines, stop-work orders, and
inability to file eviction actions.
Question 6 of 50
