The majority of DC residents rent their homes, and in 2019, when the D.C. Policy Center was collecting data for its 2020 report on rental housing in the District, 60 percent of rental units were in apartment buildings. That’s 124,641 apartment units, in 3,121 buildings. And we’d like to know more about what it’s like to live in them.
We have created this survey (also embedded below) for the purpose of collecting information on DC apartment buildings and landlords. How well do the owners and managers perform on building maintenance, safety and security, noise and trash? How many buildings have tenants associations? How common are problems like those that drove MPD to refer three Van Ness buildings to the “nuisance” properties unit of the Office of the Attorney General? How livable are the places where so many people live?
Because rental housing is an important asset in our neighborhood and across the District, we have been reporting on the “high-rise life” since we started Forest Hills Connection a decade ago. We hope you will complete this survey and share it widely.
William L. Hawkins says
We now have an open door policy as it pertains to rentals, anyone gets in, and residents are aftaid to come and go, we have fights, excessive noise and marijuana use is heavy, and even a marijuana dispensary operating out of the building. Furniture thrown out of windows, residents on a wanted list and arrested for murder, police presence in last 2.5 years up about 56%, and management continues to turn their head, ignoring everything possible while collecting market rent (for some units) and leaving the residents to handle all of the unruly residents.
Green Eyeshades says
Yikes! That’s no April Fools joke.
Can you write what building you live in?
mindy saslaw says
I live in the Kenmore, and the description fits the Kenmore to a tee.. Management is almost non-existent.
Green Eyeshades says
Thank you.
This, in particular, seems entirely unacceptable:
” … residents on a wanted list and arrested for murder ….”
E David Luria says
Establishing and joining a tenant association is a very effective way for tenants to have an organized voice in addressing the concerns faced in their buildings, making sure that their management companies and building owners are taking full responsibility for creating a safe, quiet, and healthy living environment in their buildings.
Moreover, under DC’s Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), it provides a safety net, giving tenants the first right to purchase the building, or to choose its new owner, should it go up for sale.
David Luria
Co-Founder, DC Area Tenants Association Consortium (DCATAC)
President, Brandywine Tenants Association
Paula Ackerman says
Paula Ackerman says
I agree with everything that David Luria has said. I am a tenant in the Brandywine and a member of the Brandywine Tenants’ Association. With David’s outstanding leadership, we have been able to accomplish all that he has mentioned in his comment. Our building has truly improved in regard to all aspects of security.
Paula Ackerman
Member of the Brandywine Tenants’ Association
William L. Hawkins says
What little time I have known David, he surely measures up to your description, plus. He also has a clear understanding of the housing problems we are facing in the District, and we all need to listen carefully. We need to all join together and pull out of this ongoing housing disaster.
ann bissell says
We have lost countless long term tenants who do n or wish to live with. noise, unruly behavior, disgusting public behavior.