Mold in a D.C. rental: the current reporting route and repair timeline

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D.C.'s mold reporting process changed on June 12, 2026. The Department of Buildings (DOB) now handles residential housing-code enforcement involving mold. DOEE stopped residential mold complaint inspections and deactivated its complaint link; it continues licensing and regulating mold professionals. DOEE's current tenant notice

DOEE's current tenant notice · Source checked 2026-09-06

Notify the landlord in writing

Describe where suspected mold or dampness appears and attach photos. Keep the notice and evidence of delivery. Record ongoing leaks and previous repair tickets, and offer access for inspection. Our tenant worksheet helps organize those records.

D.C. Code § 8–241.04 says the owner must inspect within 7 days of receiving written or electronic notice, then remediate within 30 days of the inspection, unless a court or the Mayor orders a shorter timeframe. The second deadline runs from the inspection. D.C. law

These are legal timelines, not advice to remain in unsafe conditions. Read the shared tenant guide for exposure concerns and immediate steps.

D.C. law · Source checked 2026-09-06

Request the correct inspection

For an unresolved housing condition, use DOB's Request a Housing Inspection link. The DOB page also lists construction inspections; select the housing/property-maintenance route for a rental condition complaint. DOB inspection page

Keep the submission confirmation with your landlord notice. Write down each inspection date, the rooms examined, and any requested follow-up. If conditions change, add dated photographs rather than overwriting the original record.

DOB inspection page · Source checked 2026-09-06

Get help with the next decision

DOEE's current guidance directs tenants to the Office of the Tenant Advocate at 202-719-6560 and identifies Housing Conditions Court as another option. It also links to DOEE-licensed mold professionals. Tenant resources

Ask for advice before withholding rent, commissioning work you expect the landlord to reimburse, or ending the lease. A private assessment can document conditions, but paying for one should be a considered decision rather than an assumed prerequisite to reporting.

Tenant resources · Source checked 2026-09-06

Keep the repair scope specific

Ask management to identify the water source and explain what work addresses it. If the concern involves the AC or damp supply vents, request evaluation of the relevant equipment and moisture conditions. Use our HVAC guide to prepare questions.

Historical inspection numbers do not describe today's agency process: DOEE reported 459 residential mold inspections in FY24, before the 2026 transfer. That total is an inspection count, not a prevalence estimate. DOEE oversight response, question 53(d)

DOEE oversight response, question 53(d) · Source checked 2026-09-06