DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM
– UPDATED 2026/2027
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
VERIFIED & ALIGNED WITH DCRA REQUIREMENTS
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive resource includes 200 fully verified and 100% accurate exam
questions and answers for the DC Property Manager Exam, updated to reflect the
most recent changes and standards set by the District of Columbia Real Estate
Commission for 2026/2027. The exam consists of a national portion (Questions 1-120)
covering general property management principles and federal laws, and a state
portion (Questions 121-200) focusing on DC-specific regulations. The content is
aligned with legal, operational, and ethical guidelines required for successful
licensure in Washington, D.C.
TOPICS COVERED:
- DC Landlord-Tenant Laws & Regulations
- Property Management Ethics and Fair Housing Compliance
- Leasing and Occupancy Procedures
- Financial Reporting and Budgeting
- Maintenance and Risk Management
- DCRA Licensing, Renewals, and Inspections
- Eviction Processes and Legal Notices
- Security Deposit Handling & Trust Accounts
- Tenant Communication and Conflict Resolution
- Federal Laws (e.g., ADA, Fair Housing Act, Lead Paint Rules)
- Property Valuation and Investment Analysis
- Management Agreements and Fiduciary Duties
All correct answers are marked with [CORRECT] for fast recognition. Key items
include explanations based on DCRA policies, DC Municipal Regulations (DCMR),
and federal guidelines.
NATIONAL PORTION (QUESTIONS 1-120)
Topic 1: Fair Housing & Anti-Discrimination (1-15)
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of the Fair Housing Act?
A) Regulate rent prices
B) Prohibit discrimination in housing [CORRECT]
1
,C) Mandate property inspections
D) Control lease terms
Rationale: The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604) prohibits discrimination based
on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.
Question 2:
Which protected class was added to the Fair Housing Act in 1988?
A) Race
B) Sex
C) Familial status and disability [CORRECT]
D) National origin
Rationale: The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 added familial status and
disability as protected classes.
Question 3:
Under the Fair Housing Act, which of the following is considered illegal
discrimination?
A) Requiring a minimum credit score
B) Steering families with children to certain floors [CORRECT]
C) Requiring proof of income
D) Running a criminal background check
Rationale: Steering based on familial status is a violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Question 4:
What does "familial status" protect under the Fair Housing Act?
A) Only married couples
B) Households with children under 18 [CORRECT]
C) Extended family members only
D) Single individuals
Rationale: Familial status protects families with children under 18, pregnant
women,
and people in the process of adopting or fostering.
2
,Question 5:
Which federal law requires that multifamily housing built after 1991 be accessible
to people with disabilities?
A) ADA
B) Fair Housing Act [CORRECT]
C) Rehabilitation Act
D) Section 8
Rationale: The Fair Housing Act requires accessible design in multifamily housing
constructed after March 13, 1991.
Question 6:
A property manager refuses to show an apartment to a tenant because of their
religious beliefs. This violates:
A) Local zoning laws
B) Fair Housing Act [CORRECT]
C) ADA
D) Lead Paint Disclosure Rule
Rationale: Religion is a protected class under the Fair Housing Act.
Question 7:
Which of the following is NOT a protected class under the Fair Housing Act?
A) Race
B) Color
C) Marital status [CORRECT]
D) National origin
Rationale: Marital status is not explicitly protected under federal Fair Housing
law, though it may be protected by some state or local laws.
Question 8:
The practice of "redlining" refers to:
A) Painting buildings red for safety
B) Refusing to lend money in certain neighborhoods based on race [CORRECT]
C) Marking properties for demolition
3
, D) Requiring red-tape permits
Rationale: Redlining is discriminatory lending practice based on racial composition
of neighborhoods.
Question 9:
Under the Fair Housing Act, what is the maximum civil penalty for a first-time
violation?
A) $10,000
B) $16,000 [CORRECT]
C) $25,000
D) $50,000
Rationale: For a first violation, the civil penalty may be up to $16,000 (adjusted
annually for inflation under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act).
Question 10:
A property manager who advertises "no children allowed" in a rental ad is
violating:
A) Local building codes
B) Fair Housing Act [CORRECT]
C) Lead Paint Disclosure
D) ADA requirements
Rationale: Advertising a preference against families with children violates familial
status protections.
Question 11:
Which of the following is an exception to the Fair Housing Act's familial status
protection?
A) Senior housing (62+) [CORRECT]
B) College dorms
C) Military housing
D) All of the above
Rationale: Housing specifically designed for persons 62+ or 55+ with significant
facilities for the elderly is exempt.
4
– UPDATED 2026/2027
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
VERIFIED & ALIGNED WITH DCRA REQUIREMENTS
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive resource includes 200 fully verified and 100% accurate exam
questions and answers for the DC Property Manager Exam, updated to reflect the
most recent changes and standards set by the District of Columbia Real Estate
Commission for 2026/2027. The exam consists of a national portion (Questions 1-120)
covering general property management principles and federal laws, and a state
portion (Questions 121-200) focusing on DC-specific regulations. The content is
aligned with legal, operational, and ethical guidelines required for successful
licensure in Washington, D.C.
TOPICS COVERED:
- DC Landlord-Tenant Laws & Regulations
- Property Management Ethics and Fair Housing Compliance
- Leasing and Occupancy Procedures
- Financial Reporting and Budgeting
- Maintenance and Risk Management
- DCRA Licensing, Renewals, and Inspections
- Eviction Processes and Legal Notices
- Security Deposit Handling & Trust Accounts
- Tenant Communication and Conflict Resolution
- Federal Laws (e.g., ADA, Fair Housing Act, Lead Paint Rules)
- Property Valuation and Investment Analysis
- Management Agreements and Fiduciary Duties
All correct answers are marked with [CORRECT] for fast recognition. Key items
include explanations based on DCRA policies, DC Municipal Regulations (DCMR),
and federal guidelines.
NATIONAL PORTION (QUESTIONS 1-120)
Topic 1: Fair Housing & Anti-Discrimination (1-15)
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of the Fair Housing Act?
A) Regulate rent prices
B) Prohibit discrimination in housing [CORRECT]
1
,C) Mandate property inspections
D) Control lease terms
Rationale: The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604) prohibits discrimination based
on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability.
Question 2:
Which protected class was added to the Fair Housing Act in 1988?
A) Race
B) Sex
C) Familial status and disability [CORRECT]
D) National origin
Rationale: The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 added familial status and
disability as protected classes.
Question 3:
Under the Fair Housing Act, which of the following is considered illegal
discrimination?
A) Requiring a minimum credit score
B) Steering families with children to certain floors [CORRECT]
C) Requiring proof of income
D) Running a criminal background check
Rationale: Steering based on familial status is a violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Question 4:
What does "familial status" protect under the Fair Housing Act?
A) Only married couples
B) Households with children under 18 [CORRECT]
C) Extended family members only
D) Single individuals
Rationale: Familial status protects families with children under 18, pregnant
women,
and people in the process of adopting or fostering.
2
,Question 5:
Which federal law requires that multifamily housing built after 1991 be accessible
to people with disabilities?
A) ADA
B) Fair Housing Act [CORRECT]
C) Rehabilitation Act
D) Section 8
Rationale: The Fair Housing Act requires accessible design in multifamily housing
constructed after March 13, 1991.
Question 6:
A property manager refuses to show an apartment to a tenant because of their
religious beliefs. This violates:
A) Local zoning laws
B) Fair Housing Act [CORRECT]
C) ADA
D) Lead Paint Disclosure Rule
Rationale: Religion is a protected class under the Fair Housing Act.
Question 7:
Which of the following is NOT a protected class under the Fair Housing Act?
A) Race
B) Color
C) Marital status [CORRECT]
D) National origin
Rationale: Marital status is not explicitly protected under federal Fair Housing
law, though it may be protected by some state or local laws.
Question 8:
The practice of "redlining" refers to:
A) Painting buildings red for safety
B) Refusing to lend money in certain neighborhoods based on race [CORRECT]
C) Marking properties for demolition
3
, D) Requiring red-tape permits
Rationale: Redlining is discriminatory lending practice based on racial composition
of neighborhoods.
Question 9:
Under the Fair Housing Act, what is the maximum civil penalty for a first-time
violation?
A) $10,000
B) $16,000 [CORRECT]
C) $25,000
D) $50,000
Rationale: For a first violation, the civil penalty may be up to $16,000 (adjusted
annually for inflation under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act).
Question 10:
A property manager who advertises "no children allowed" in a rental ad is
violating:
A) Local building codes
B) Fair Housing Act [CORRECT]
C) Lead Paint Disclosure
D) ADA requirements
Rationale: Advertising a preference against families with children violates familial
status protections.
Question 11:
Which of the following is an exception to the Fair Housing Act's familial status
protection?
A) Senior housing (62+) [CORRECT]
B) College dorms
C) Military housing
D) All of the above
Rationale: Housing specifically designed for persons 62+ or 55+ with significant
facilities for the elderly is exempt.
4
