Page 1 of 56
DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM: QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SUMMARIZED 10-POINT EXAM COVERAGE
DC Landlord-Tenant Law & Rent Control: Rental Housing Act of 1985, rent stabilization (CPI +
5%), security deposit rules, eviction procedures, and tenant rights.
Fair Housing & Human Rights: Protected classes under DC and federal law, discriminatory
practices, reasonable accommodations, and advertising rules.
Property Management Operations & Administration: Management plans, market analysis,
management agreements, and owner-manager relationships.
Financial Management & Accounting: Budgeting, income/expense analysis, NOI, cap rates,
capital expenditures, and escrow accounts.
Building Safety, Maintenance & Housing Codes: Housing code standards, smoke detectors, fire
safety, hot water requirements, and certificate of occupancy.
Property Valuation & Obsolescence: Investment value, market value, assessed value,
depreciation, and types of obsolescence.
Lease Administration: Lease types, security deposits, rent escalation clauses, pass-throughs,
and lease enforcement.
Risk Management & Insurance: Liability, insurance requirements, and risk mitigation.
Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) & DOPA: Tenant rights during sale or conversion,
and procedures.
Licensing & Regulatory Compliance: DCRA/DLCP requirements, continuing education, license
renewal, and record-keeping.
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SECTION 1: DC LANDLORD-TENANT LAW & RENT CONTROL
Questions 1–25
Question 1
Under the District of Columbia Housing Regulations, what is the minimum temperature at
which hot water must be supplied to residential units?
A) 110°F
B) 115°F
C) 120°F
D) 125°F
Rationale: DC Housing Regulations require landlords to maintain hot water at a minimum of 120
degrees Fahrenheit at all times in residential units. Failure to provide adequate hot water
constitutes a housing code violation.
Question 2
A tenant in a rent-controlled apartment receives a notice of rent increase of 8%. The CPI
adjustment for the year is 3.2%. What is the maximum allowable rent increase under the DC
Rent Stabilization Program?
A) 3.2%
B) 5.2%
C) 8.2%
D) 10.0%
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Rationale: Under the DC Rent Stabilization Program, the maximum allowable annual rent
increase for most rent-controlled units is CPI plus 5%, not to exceed 10%. With a CPI of 3.2%,
the maximum increase is 8.2%.
Question 3
What is the maximum security deposit a landlord may collect for a non-exempt residential
rental unit in DC?
A) One month's rent
B) Two months' rent
C) Three months' rent
D) There is no statutory maximum
Rationale: DC law limits security deposits to one month's rent for most residential units.
Question 4
Within how many days must a landlord in DC return a tenant's security deposit after the
tenancy is terminated?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 45 days
D) 60 days
Rationale: DC law requires the return of a security deposit within 30 days with an itemized
statement of deductions.
Question 5
How must security deposits be held under DC law?
, Page 4 of 56
A) In a personal bank account of the property manager
B) In an interest-bearing account, with interest paid to the tenant
C) Commingled with operational funds
D) In a non-interest-bearing account
Rationale: Security deposits must be held in an interest-bearing deposit account in a financial
institution located in DC or a contiguous state. The interest must be paid to the tenant.
Question 6
What is the maximum late fee a landlord can charge a residential tenant in DC?
A) 5% of monthly rent
B) 10% of monthly rent
C) $50 or 5% of the rent, whichever is greater
D) There is no statutory maximum
Rationale: DC law caps late fees at 5% of the monthly rent or $50, whichever is greater.
Question 7
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) Fair Housing Amendments Act
Rationale: The Rental Housing Act of 1985 governs most residential landlord-tenant
relationships in DC.
DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM: QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SUMMARIZED 10-POINT EXAM COVERAGE
DC Landlord-Tenant Law & Rent Control: Rental Housing Act of 1985, rent stabilization (CPI +
5%), security deposit rules, eviction procedures, and tenant rights.
Fair Housing & Human Rights: Protected classes under DC and federal law, discriminatory
practices, reasonable accommodations, and advertising rules.
Property Management Operations & Administration: Management plans, market analysis,
management agreements, and owner-manager relationships.
Financial Management & Accounting: Budgeting, income/expense analysis, NOI, cap rates,
capital expenditures, and escrow accounts.
Building Safety, Maintenance & Housing Codes: Housing code standards, smoke detectors, fire
safety, hot water requirements, and certificate of occupancy.
Property Valuation & Obsolescence: Investment value, market value, assessed value,
depreciation, and types of obsolescence.
Lease Administration: Lease types, security deposits, rent escalation clauses, pass-throughs,
and lease enforcement.
Risk Management & Insurance: Liability, insurance requirements, and risk mitigation.
Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) & DOPA: Tenant rights during sale or conversion,
and procedures.
Licensing & Regulatory Compliance: DCRA/DLCP requirements, continuing education, license
renewal, and record-keeping.
,Page 2 of 56
SECTION 1: DC LANDLORD-TENANT LAW & RENT CONTROL
Questions 1–25
Question 1
Under the District of Columbia Housing Regulations, what is the minimum temperature at
which hot water must be supplied to residential units?
A) 110°F
B) 115°F
C) 120°F
D) 125°F
Rationale: DC Housing Regulations require landlords to maintain hot water at a minimum of 120
degrees Fahrenheit at all times in residential units. Failure to provide adequate hot water
constitutes a housing code violation.
Question 2
A tenant in a rent-controlled apartment receives a notice of rent increase of 8%. The CPI
adjustment for the year is 3.2%. What is the maximum allowable rent increase under the DC
Rent Stabilization Program?
A) 3.2%
B) 5.2%
C) 8.2%
D) 10.0%
,Page 3 of 56
Rationale: Under the DC Rent Stabilization Program, the maximum allowable annual rent
increase for most rent-controlled units is CPI plus 5%, not to exceed 10%. With a CPI of 3.2%,
the maximum increase is 8.2%.
Question 3
What is the maximum security deposit a landlord may collect for a non-exempt residential
rental unit in DC?
A) One month's rent
B) Two months' rent
C) Three months' rent
D) There is no statutory maximum
Rationale: DC law limits security deposits to one month's rent for most residential units.
Question 4
Within how many days must a landlord in DC return a tenant's security deposit after the
tenancy is terminated?
A) 15 days
B) 30 days
C) 45 days
D) 60 days
Rationale: DC law requires the return of a security deposit within 30 days with an itemized
statement of deductions.
Question 5
How must security deposits be held under DC law?
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A) In a personal bank account of the property manager
B) In an interest-bearing account, with interest paid to the tenant
C) Commingled with operational funds
D) In a non-interest-bearing account
Rationale: Security deposits must be held in an interest-bearing deposit account in a financial
institution located in DC or a contiguous state. The interest must be paid to the tenant.
Question 6
What is the maximum late fee a landlord can charge a residential tenant in DC?
A) 5% of monthly rent
B) 10% of monthly rent
C) $50 or 5% of the rent, whichever is greater
D) There is no statutory maximum
Rationale: DC law caps late fees at 5% of the monthly rent or $50, whichever is greater.
Question 7
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) Fair Housing Amendments Act
Rationale: The Rental Housing Act of 1985 governs most residential landlord-tenant
relationships in DC.
