DC PROPERTY MANAGER EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary purpose of the District of Columbia Rental Housing Act?
A. To regulate property taxes for commercial buildings
B. To set zoning laws for downtown Washington DC
C. To establish rent control and tenant protections for residential properties
D. To manage public housing construction projects
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Rental Housing Act in DC is primarily designed to stabilize
residential rents and provide robust protections for tenants.
2. In DC, within how many days must a security deposit be returned to a tenant after tenancy
terminates?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 45 days
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: DC law requires landlords to return security deposits along with
any applicable interest within 45 days after the tenancy ends.
3. What entity administers the DC housing code and conducts residential property
inspections?
A. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) / DOB
B. DC Police Department
C. DC Board of Elections
D. Washington Gas and Electric
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Department of Buildings (DOB), formerly part of DCRA,
enforces the District housing codes and inspects properties.
4. Under DC law, what is required before a landlord can file a complaint for possession
(eviction) for nonpayment of rent?
A. A verbal warning
B. A written notice to cure or quit with specific past-due amounts
C. A 30-day notice to quit
D. Approval from the Mayor
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Landlords must provide a formal written notice detailing the
rent owed and giving the statutory timeframe to pay before filing an eviction.
5. What is the maximum amount a landlord in DC can charge for a security deposit?
A. No more than one month’s rent
B. Two months’ rent
C. Equal to the last month’s rent
D. One month’s rent
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Under DC law, a landlord may not charge a security deposit that
exceeds one month’s rent.
6. Are residential security deposits required to earn interest in the District of Columbia?
A. No, interest is optional
B. Only if the tenant requests it in writing
C. Yes, in an interest-bearing account meeting specific bank requirements
D. Only for commercial leases
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: DC law mandates that security deposits be held in interest-
bearing accounts and that standard interest be paid to the tenant.
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary purpose of the District of Columbia Rental Housing Act?
A. To regulate property taxes for commercial buildings
B. To set zoning laws for downtown Washington DC
C. To establish rent control and tenant protections for residential properties
D. To manage public housing construction projects
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The Rental Housing Act in DC is primarily designed to stabilize
residential rents and provide robust protections for tenants.
2. In DC, within how many days must a security deposit be returned to a tenant after tenancy
terminates?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 60 days
D. 45 days
,Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: DC law requires landlords to return security deposits along with
any applicable interest within 45 days after the tenancy ends.
3. What entity administers the DC housing code and conducts residential property
inspections?
A. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) / DOB
B. DC Police Department
C. DC Board of Elections
D. Washington Gas and Electric
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Department of Buildings (DOB), formerly part of DCRA,
enforces the District housing codes and inspects properties.
4. Under DC law, what is required before a landlord can file a complaint for possession
(eviction) for nonpayment of rent?
A. A verbal warning
B. A written notice to cure or quit with specific past-due amounts
C. A 30-day notice to quit
D. Approval from the Mayor
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Landlords must provide a formal written notice detailing the
rent owed and giving the statutory timeframe to pay before filing an eviction.
5. What is the maximum amount a landlord in DC can charge for a security deposit?
A. No more than one month’s rent
B. Two months’ rent
C. Equal to the last month’s rent
D. One month’s rent
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Under DC law, a landlord may not charge a security deposit that
exceeds one month’s rent.
6. Are residential security deposits required to earn interest in the District of Columbia?
A. No, interest is optional
B. Only if the tenant requests it in writing
C. Yes, in an interest-bearing account meeting specific bank requirements
D. Only for commercial leases
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: DC law mandates that security deposits be held in interest-
bearing accounts and that standard interest be paid to the tenant.
