Any Landlords in Washington DC?

Question

Hello BP i am considering picking up some rentals in DC and have heard from a bunch of people about how tenant friendly DC is and am looking for some landlords in DC that can give some advice?

Justin Pierce · Answer

Brent, D.C. is very in favor of the Tenant.  The Maryland Suburbs aren't much better but Virginia's Virginia Land Lord Tenant Laws are very good.  I would look to Arlington, Fairfax and even Prince William and Loudon Counties in Virginia.  This is all considered the D.C. Metro area.  I had to do an eviction in Virginia a few years ago.  It took about 6 weeks to get through the entire process.  The laws are spelled out and well defined.

If you are determined to hold in D.C. then I would stay away from wards 7 & 8.  They look good on paper because they've enjoyed a significant appreciation this past year or two but this is still a challenged area.

BJ McKellar · Answer

Brent, I am a property manager in DC, and as everyone else mentioned, make sure you educate yourself with the DC laws.  If everything is done right, it can be a great place to invest.  If you have a question, let us know.  I'm sure someone has dealt with it. I agree with everything Robert said.  Screening is the most important step in making sure your investment is a success.  But if you have tenant issues, you can evict, even though it may take a few months.  Remember it's an investment, sometimes you have to put money into it, a lot of landlords we manage for seem to forget this.

Robert Williams · Answer

Hi Brent,

I'm a long time landlord in Washington DC.  You're right, landlord-tenant laws in DC are definitely skewed in favor of tenants in the city.  The single biggest piece of advice I have is that you conduct a thorough screening of any prospective tenant.  Make sure you conduct a credit check, criminal background check, and employment verification.  I also recommend checking local court records of whatever jurisdiction your prospective tenant has lived in to see if they have any court cases against them.  Someone who's been sued for failing to pay their rent (or other financial obligations) should be a huge red flag.

Sincerely,

Rob

Thomas Johnson · Answer

I'm new to the forum and came across your post, the tenet laws are strict in DC and depending on your questions regarding the law you should consult a title company or real estate lawyers in the area. I was able to get answers for a client of mine who was transitioning from renting to getting ready to sell his property, and the title company I use was very helpful and willing to explain the laws and how to proceed.