District of Columbia BBL Inspection Consent Form

Basic Business License Procedures

The District of Columbia has some unique requirements for Landlords. The process varies slightly based on the number of units in your building, but here’s a general overview of the steps DC Landlords must follow in order to Lease residential real estate:

1. Landlords of properties with two or more units must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). You can apply for that here.
2. Register your property or business with the Office of Tax and Revenue.
3. Complete the Basic Business License application online.
4. Register to get a home inspection. This must be done within 45 days of completing the BBL Application. In order for inspectors to enter the property to complete this inspection, both the Landlord and Tenant must complete the BBL Inspection Consent Form.
5. Register your property with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to either register as a rent-controlled unit or to request an exemption.

Being a DC Landlord isn’t EZ, but the right forms and tools can make all of the logistics much more manageable!

DC Rental Forms and Templates

In addition to some procedural steps and paperwork, DC Landlords will need forms to screen Tenants and manage their rental property.

• Rental Application: Before signing a Lease, always screen Tenants. Our Free Rental Application is the best way to start the screening process.
• District of Columbia Residential Lease Agreement: The EZ way to ensure that your Lease complies with all DC Lease laws!
• Move-In/Move-Out Walkthrough Checklist: Customize this form to document the condition of your rental unit at move-in and move-out.
• Washington DC Tenant Bill of Rights: This resource is an EZ way for Landlords to ensure that they’re complying with local Landlord-Tenant laws.

Need another form?

We have over 400 forms for every phase of the Landlord Lifecycle!

Search Our Library of Forms