District of Columbia Landlord Selling the House
District of Columbia rules on landlord selling the house for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: A sale of the building does not by itself end a tenancy: the D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights says a landlord may not evict a tenant because of a sale or foreclosure. D.C. Code § 42-3404.02; D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate, D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights (Form OTA 2026.09.25)
The rules in District of Columbia
| If the landlord sells the property | A sale of the building does not by itself end a tenancy: the D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights says a landlord may not evict a tenant because of a sale or foreclosure. Before selling a housing accommodation, the owner must give the tenant an opportunity to purchase it at a price and on terms that are a bona fide offer of sale (the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or TOPA); the Tenant Bill of Rights explains that for single-family homes all tenants get notice of the intended sale but only certain elderly or disabled tenants keep a right to buy, and that many exemptions apply. The sources reviewed do not set a security-deposit transfer rule for sales. |
|---|---|
| Tenants in foreclosure | Foreclosure or sale is not a ground for eviction. Under the Rental Housing Act, a tenant may be evicted only for the statutory reasons and only with the required notice, and may not be evicted while paying rent, even after the lease expires. A new owner, including a foreclosure buyer, takes the property subject to the tenancy. Before an owner sells a housing accommodation, or issues a notice to vacate for demolition or discontinuance of housing use, it must give tenants an opportunity to purchase (TOPA) on bona fide terms. Tenants also have a 15-day right of first refusal after receiving a third-party sales contract. TOPA was amended by the RENTAL Act (D.C. Law 26-80, eff. Dec. 31, 2025). Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
Related questions
District of Columbia vs. neighboring states
| State | If the landlord sells the property | Tenants in foreclosure |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | A sale of the building does not by itself end a tenancy: the D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights says a landlord may not evict a tenant because of a sale or foreclosure. Before selling a housing accommodation, the owner must give the tenant an opportunity to purchase it at a price and on terms that are a bona fide offer of sale (the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or TOPA); the Tenant Bill of Rights explains that for single-family homes all tenants get notice of the intended sale but only certain elderly or disabled tenants keep a right to buy, and that many exemptions apply. The sources reviewed do not set a security-deposit transfer rule for sales. D.C. Code § 42-3404.02; D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate, D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights (Form OTA 2026.09.25) | Foreclosure or sale is not a ground for eviction. Under the Rental Housing Act, a tenant may be evicted only for the statutory reasons and only with the required notice, and may not be evicted while paying rent, even after the lease expires. A new owner, including a foreclosure buyer, takes the property subject to the tenancy. Before an owner sells a housing accommodation, or issues a notice to vacate for demolition or discontinuance of housing use, it must give tenants an opportunity to purchase (TOPA) on bona fide terms. Tenants also have a 15-day right of first refusal after receiving a third-party sales contract. D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a)(1); § 42-3404.02(a); § 42-3404.08 |
| Maryland | If the landlord sells or transfers the rental (including in receivership or bankruptcy), the landlord or the landlord's estate stays liable to the tenant and the buyer for any part of the security deposit (and required interest) that the landlord does not hand over to the new owner along with an accounting showing the amount and date of the deposit, interest-rate records, and the tenant's name and last known address. Any successor owner is liable to the tenant for failing to return the deposit with interest. If the tenant used a surety bond instead of a deposit, the new landlord must accept the bond and may not demand an additional deposit during the current lease term. Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-203(d)(3)-(4), (i)(11) | Maryland adopts PTFA-style protections. A foreclosure buyer takes the property subject to bona fide tenants' rights and must give a 90-day notice to vacate, sent by first-class AND certified mail, return receipt requested, stating its date, the effective date and the basis. A bona fide lease generally continues to its end, unless the buyer will live there as a primary residence (then 90 days). Longer state or local protections still apply. A landlord who has received a notice of intent to foreclose may end month-to-month tenancies with 30 days' notice (60 days for year-to-year). Md. Code, Real Prop. § 7-105.8(a)-(b); § 8-402(c)(4)(ii) |
| Virginia | When rental property is sold, the current owner must transfer all security deposits, plus any accrued interest, to the new owner at the time of transfer. If a managing agent holds the deposits, the owner must ask for them in writing before settlement, and the agent must transfer them and give each tenant written notice that the deposit went to the new owner. The landlord must also notify the tenant of the sale and give the buyer's name, address and phone number; these duties are enforceable against any successor landlord. Va. Code §§ 55.1-1213, 55.1-1216(B), (D) | Single-family rental: the landlord must tell the tenant or prospective tenant in writing within 5 business days after receiving a lender's notice of mortgage default, acceleration or foreclosure sale; if not, the tenant may terminate on 5 business days' written notice. After a foreclosure sale, a buyer who will occupy the unit as a primary residence must give at least 90 days' written notice to vacate; any other buyer takes subject to the lease and the tenant may stay for the remaining term (subject to termination for cause or under the lease), with written notice to the tenant. Rent goes to the successor owner as directed in writing, to the managing agent, or into court escrow; the tenant is not delinquent or charged late fees until the successor names where to pay. On any sale, the landlord must disclose the purchaser's name, address and phone number. Va. Code Sec. 55.1-1237; 55.1-1216(B) |
More District of Columbia rental law
- District of Columbia Security Deposit Law
- District of Columbia Eviction Laws
- District of Columbia Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- District of Columbia Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in District of Columbia
- Squatters' Rights in District of Columbia
- District of Columbia Rental Fee Rules
- District of Columbia Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- District of Columbia Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- District of Columbia Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- District of Columbia Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- District of Columbia Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All District of Columbia landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in District of Columbia
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District of Columbia Landlord Selling the House FAQ
What happens to my lease if my landlord sells the house in District of Columbia?
A sale of the building does not by itself end a tenancy: the D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights says a landlord may not evict a tenant because of a sale or foreclosure. Before selling a housing accommodation, the owner must give the tenant an opportunity to purchase it at a price and on terms that are a bona fide offer of sale (the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or TOPA); the Tenant Bill of Rights explains that for single-family homes all tenants get notice of the intended sale but only certain elderly or disabled tenants keep a right to buy, and that many exemptions apply. The sources reviewed do not set a security-deposit transfer rule for sales. (D.C. Code § 42-3404.02; D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate, D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights (Form OTA 2026.09.25))
What are tenants' rights in a foreclosure in District of Columbia?
Foreclosure or sale is not a ground for eviction. Under the Rental Housing Act, a tenant may be evicted only for the statutory reasons and only with the required notice, and may not be evicted while paying rent, even after the lease expires. A new owner, including a foreclosure buyer, takes the property subject to the tenancy. Before an owner sells a housing accommodation, or issues a notice to vacate for demolition or discontinuance of housing use, it must give tenants an opportunity to purchase (TOPA) on bona fide terms. Tenants also have a 15-day right of first refusal after receiving a third-party sales contract. (D.C. Code § 42-3505.01(a)(1); § 42-3404.02(a); § 42-3404.08)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.