DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
DC Property Manager Exam
Updated 2026/2027
Official Practice Exam - Verified & Aligned with DCRA Requirements
75 Questions | 90 Minutes | Passing Score: 80% | Recertification Exam
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: DC Landlord-Tenant Law & Housing Regulations (20 Questions)
Section 2: Property Management Operations & Administration (15 Questions)
Section 3: Financial Management & Accounting (15 Questions)
Section 4: Fair Housing & Ethical Practices (13 Questions)
Section 5: Building Safety, Maintenance & Emergency Preparedness (12 Questions)
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
1. This exam contains 75 multiple-choice questions. Select the ONE best answer for each question.
2. You have 90 minutes to complete the exam. Pace yourself at approximately 1.2 minutes per question.
3. A passing score of 80% (60 correct out of 75) is required. Each question is worth equal points.
4. Read each scenario carefully before selecting your answer. All options are plausible but only one is best.
5. The correct answer and rationale are provided immediately after each question for study purposes.
6. No penalties for incorrect answers. Answer every question even if uncertain.
7. Content is aligned with DCRA requirements for property manager certification in the District of Columbia.
DC Property Manager Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1
,Section 1: DC Landlord-Tenant Law & Housing Regulations - 2026/2027
2026/2027 Edition
Q1 Question 1 of 75
A property manager in Washington, DC receives a complaint from a tenant that their apartment has no hot
water for the past five days. Under the District of Columbia Housing Regulations, what is the landlord's
obligation regarding hot water supply to residential units?
A. Hot water must be supplied at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit at all times
B. Hot water must be supplied at a minimum temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit at all times
C. Hot water is only required during the winter heating season from October through May
D. Hot water must be available for at least 12 hours per day as determined by the landlord
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
DC Housing Regulations require landlords to maintain hot water at a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit at all
times in residential units. Failure to provide adequate hot water constitutes a housing code violation that can
result in fines and rent escrow actions, and the requirement applies year-round, not just during heating season.
Q2 Question 2 of 75
A tenant in a rent-controlled apartment in the District of Columbia receives a notice of rent increase of 8% for
the current year. The CPI adjustment for the year is 3.2%. What is the maximum allowable rent increase
under the District of Columbia Rent Stabilization Program for this tenant?
A. The landlord may increase rent by the CPI percentage plus 5%, totaling 8.2%
B. The landlord may increase rent by the CPI percentage plus 2%, totaling 5.2%
C. The landlord may increase rent by a fixed maximum of 10% regardless of CPI
D. The landlord may increase rent by any amount as long as 30-day notice is given
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Under the DC Rent Stabilization Program, the maximum allowable annual rent increase for most rent-controlled
units is CPI plus 5%, not to exceed 10%. With a CPI of 3.2%, the maximum increase would be 8.2%. The
proposed 8% increase is within this limit, but the landlord cannot exceed CPI plus 5%.
DC Property Manager Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2
,Q3 Question 3 of 75
A property manager needs to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent in the District of Columbia. The tenant
has failed to pay rent for two months. What is the proper legal procedure the property manager must follow?
A. Serve a 10-day notice to pay or quit, and if the tenant fails to pay, file a complaint in the Landlord
and Tenant Branch of DC Superior Court
B. Serve a 30-day notice to vacate and then file a complaint in the Superior Court Landlord and Tenant
Branch
C. Serve a 3-day notice to vacate and then change the locks if the tenant does not leave
D. File a complaint directly with the DCRA without serving any prior notice to the tenant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
DC law requires a 10-day notice to pay or quit for nonpayment of rent before filing a complaint in the Landlord
and Tenant Branch of DC Superior Court. Self-help evictions such as changing locks are illegal in the District. A
30-day notice is used for other types of tenancy terminations, not nonpayment.
Q4 Question 4 of 75
A tenant in a DC apartment building reports that their heating system has been malfunctioning for three days
during January when outside temperatures drop below freezing. Under DC housing regulations, what is the
minimum temperature landlords must maintain in residential rental units during the heating season?
A. Landlords must maintain a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit from October 1 through
May 31
B. Landlords must maintain a minimum temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit from October 1 through April 15
C. Landlords must maintain a minimum temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit from September 15 through
June 1
D. Landlords must maintain a minimum temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit from November 1 through
March 31
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
DC Housing Regulations require landlords to maintain a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit in
residential units from October 1 through May 31. Failure to maintain adequate heat during this period is a serious
housing code violation that can result in emergency repairs, fines, and rent abatement for the tenant.
DC Property Manager Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3
, Q5 Question 5 of 75
A tenant in the District of Columbia wishes to withhold rent due to unresolved housing code violations in their
apartment. They have notified the landlord in writing twice over the past 60 days about a leaking roof and
mold growth. What legal mechanism allows a DC tenant to escrow rent payments?
A. The tenant may file a petition with the Rental Accommodations Division to pay rent into the court
registry pending resolution of the housing code violations
B. The tenant may simply stop paying rent until the violations are corrected without filing any court action
C. The tenant must first obtain approval from DCRA before withholding any rent payments
D. The tenant may deduct repair costs from rent without any court filing or government approval
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
DC law allows tenants to file a petition to pay rent into the court registry (rent escrow) through the Rental
Accommodations Division when landlords fail to address housing code violations after proper notice. Tenants
cannot simply stop paying rent or deduct costs without following the legal escrow process, which protects both
parties.
Q6 Question 6 of 75
A new property management company takes over a 50-unit apartment building in the District of Columbia.
Several tenants ask about their rights regarding security deposits. Under DC law, what is the maximum
security deposit a landlord may charge?
A. Landlords may charge a security deposit equal to one month's rent
B. Landlords may charge a security deposit equal to two months' rent
C. Landlords may charge a security deposit equal to one and a half months' rent
D. There is no statutory limit on security deposits in the District of Columbia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Under the DC Rental Housing Act, landlords may not charge a security deposit exceeding one month's rent. This
limitation is designed to make housing more accessible and prevent excessive financial barriers to tenancy.
Charging more than one month's rent as a security deposit is a violation of DC tenant protection laws.
DC Property Manager Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4
DC Property Manager Exam
Updated 2026/2027
Official Practice Exam - Verified & Aligned with DCRA Requirements
75 Questions | 90 Minutes | Passing Score: 80% | Recertification Exam
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: DC Landlord-Tenant Law & Housing Regulations (20 Questions)
Section 2: Property Management Operations & Administration (15 Questions)
Section 3: Financial Management & Accounting (15 Questions)
Section 4: Fair Housing & Ethical Practices (13 Questions)
Section 5: Building Safety, Maintenance & Emergency Preparedness (12 Questions)
EXAM INSTRUCTIONS
1. This exam contains 75 multiple-choice questions. Select the ONE best answer for each question.
2. You have 90 minutes to complete the exam. Pace yourself at approximately 1.2 minutes per question.
3. A passing score of 80% (60 correct out of 75) is required. Each question is worth equal points.
4. Read each scenario carefully before selecting your answer. All options are plausible but only one is best.
5. The correct answer and rationale are provided immediately after each question for study purposes.
6. No penalties for incorrect answers. Answer every question even if uncertain.
7. Content is aligned with DCRA requirements for property manager certification in the District of Columbia.
DC Property Manager Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 1
,Section 1: DC Landlord-Tenant Law & Housing Regulations - 2026/2027
2026/2027 Edition
Q1 Question 1 of 75
A property manager in Washington, DC receives a complaint from a tenant that their apartment has no hot
water for the past five days. Under the District of Columbia Housing Regulations, what is the landlord's
obligation regarding hot water supply to residential units?
A. Hot water must be supplied at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit at all times
B. Hot water must be supplied at a minimum temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit at all times
C. Hot water is only required during the winter heating season from October through May
D. Hot water must be available for at least 12 hours per day as determined by the landlord
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
DC Housing Regulations require landlords to maintain hot water at a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit at all
times in residential units. Failure to provide adequate hot water constitutes a housing code violation that can
result in fines and rent escrow actions, and the requirement applies year-round, not just during heating season.
Q2 Question 2 of 75
A tenant in a rent-controlled apartment in the District of Columbia receives a notice of rent increase of 8% for
the current year. The CPI adjustment for the year is 3.2%. What is the maximum allowable rent increase
under the District of Columbia Rent Stabilization Program for this tenant?
A. The landlord may increase rent by the CPI percentage plus 5%, totaling 8.2%
B. The landlord may increase rent by the CPI percentage plus 2%, totaling 5.2%
C. The landlord may increase rent by a fixed maximum of 10% regardless of CPI
D. The landlord may increase rent by any amount as long as 30-day notice is given
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Under the DC Rent Stabilization Program, the maximum allowable annual rent increase for most rent-controlled
units is CPI plus 5%, not to exceed 10%. With a CPI of 3.2%, the maximum increase would be 8.2%. The
proposed 8% increase is within this limit, but the landlord cannot exceed CPI plus 5%.
DC Property Manager Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 2
,Q3 Question 3 of 75
A property manager needs to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent in the District of Columbia. The tenant
has failed to pay rent for two months. What is the proper legal procedure the property manager must follow?
A. Serve a 10-day notice to pay or quit, and if the tenant fails to pay, file a complaint in the Landlord
and Tenant Branch of DC Superior Court
B. Serve a 30-day notice to vacate and then file a complaint in the Superior Court Landlord and Tenant
Branch
C. Serve a 3-day notice to vacate and then change the locks if the tenant does not leave
D. File a complaint directly with the DCRA without serving any prior notice to the tenant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
DC law requires a 10-day notice to pay or quit for nonpayment of rent before filing a complaint in the Landlord
and Tenant Branch of DC Superior Court. Self-help evictions such as changing locks are illegal in the District. A
30-day notice is used for other types of tenancy terminations, not nonpayment.
Q4 Question 4 of 75
A tenant in a DC apartment building reports that their heating system has been malfunctioning for three days
during January when outside temperatures drop below freezing. Under DC housing regulations, what is the
minimum temperature landlords must maintain in residential rental units during the heating season?
A. Landlords must maintain a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit from October 1 through
May 31
B. Landlords must maintain a minimum temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit from October 1 through April 15
C. Landlords must maintain a minimum temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit from September 15 through
June 1
D. Landlords must maintain a minimum temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit from November 1 through
March 31
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
DC Housing Regulations require landlords to maintain a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit in
residential units from October 1 through May 31. Failure to maintain adequate heat during this period is a serious
housing code violation that can result in emergency repairs, fines, and rent abatement for the tenant.
DC Property Manager Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 3
, Q5 Question 5 of 75
A tenant in the District of Columbia wishes to withhold rent due to unresolved housing code violations in their
apartment. They have notified the landlord in writing twice over the past 60 days about a leaking roof and
mold growth. What legal mechanism allows a DC tenant to escrow rent payments?
A. The tenant may file a petition with the Rental Accommodations Division to pay rent into the court
registry pending resolution of the housing code violations
B. The tenant may simply stop paying rent until the violations are corrected without filing any court action
C. The tenant must first obtain approval from DCRA before withholding any rent payments
D. The tenant may deduct repair costs from rent without any court filing or government approval
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
DC law allows tenants to file a petition to pay rent into the court registry (rent escrow) through the Rental
Accommodations Division when landlords fail to address housing code violations after proper notice. Tenants
cannot simply stop paying rent or deduct costs without following the legal escrow process, which protects both
parties.
Q6 Question 6 of 75
A new property management company takes over a 50-unit apartment building in the District of Columbia.
Several tenants ask about their rights regarding security deposits. Under DC law, what is the maximum
security deposit a landlord may charge?
A. Landlords may charge a security deposit equal to one month's rent
B. Landlords may charge a security deposit equal to two months' rent
C. Landlords may charge a security deposit equal to one and a half months' rent
D. There is no statutory limit on security deposits in the District of Columbia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Under the DC Rental Housing Act, landlords may not charge a security deposit exceeding one month's rent. This
limitation is designed to make housing more accessible and prevent excessive financial barriers to tenancy.
Charging more than one month's rent as a security deposit is a violation of DC tenant protection laws.
DC Property Manager Exam - 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 80% | Page 4
