HOUSING HELP | Have a problem with your DC landlord?

From the Office of the Attorney General website:

The Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA)

  • Advises tenants on resolving disputes with landlords.

  • Helps clarify the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords.

  • Provides legal and technical assistance on further legal actions, such as filing tenant petitions.

Tenants with complaints regarding non-habitable living conditions can contact the Office of the Tenant Advocate at (202) 719-6560. If you believe your issue may be building-wide, please ask them to share your information with OAG. Also, tenants who have consumer complaints against their landlord such as improper withholding of security deposits, collection of illegal late fees or attorney’s fees, harassing calls from debt collectors, improper rent increases, and other potentially deceptive practices can call the OAG Consumer Hotline at (202) 442-9828.


OTA advises tenants on resolving disputes with landlords, identifies legal issues and the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, and provides legal and technical assistance for further action such as filing tenant petitions.

The Office of the Tenant Advocate new walk-in hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm.

To speak with a Case Management Specialist:

  • Call the OTA at (202) 719-6560 or

  • Visit 2000 14th Street, NW, Suite 300N Washington, DC 20009

OTA offers an online Live Q&A as well as “Ask the Chief Tenant Advocate ” through its Legal Representation Division: