<< Back to Mold - What To Do main page
Overview
As of June 12, 2026, DOEE is no longer conducting residential mold complaint inspections for violations related to the presence of mold in rental housing. Also, the mold complaint link on our website has been deactivated. DOEE will continue licensing and regulating mold professionals. The Department of Buildings (DOB) will be conducting all housing code enforcement activities including mold violations.
Why This Change Is Taking Place
DOEE’s Statutory Role
Section 302 of the Air Quality Amendment Act of 2013 (D.C. Law 20-135; D.C. Code §§ 8-241.01 – 8-241.09) and its implementing regulations (20 DCMR Ch. 32) limit DOEE’s mold authority to licensing and regulating mold assessors and remediators. The statute does not authorize DOEE to conduct inspections or initiate enforcement actions against landlords or rental property owners related to the presence of mold contamination in rental properties.
DOB’s Enforcement Authority
DOB has authority to inspect and take enforcement actions for mold-related housing violations under the Property Maintenance Code, Title 12 G of the DC Municipal Regulations (DCMR), by issuing Notices of Infraction and penalties for noncompliance.
Tenant Protection & Legal Framework
D.C. Code § 8-241.04(a) provides that “[a] residential property owner who receives written or electronic notice from a tenant that indoor mold or suspected indoor mold exists in the dwelling unit or in a common area of the property shall inspect the property within 7 days and remediate the condition within 30 days of the inspection unless a shorter timeframe is ordered by a court or the Mayor.” Further, “[a] professional indoor mold assessment finding indoor mold contamination in a tenant’s dwelling unit or a common area of the property shall create a rebuttable presumption of a violation of … the Property Maintenance Code and the Housing Code,” which may be used “[i]n a private cause of action, claim, or defense by a tenant against a residential property.”
What This Means for Tenants in the District
If indoor mold contamination is present (or suspected to be present) within your rental property:
1. Notify your landlord in writing (text, email, or handwritten).
2. Landlord must inspect within 7 days and remediate within 30 days of the inspection.
3. If unresolved, tenants may:
- Report Housing Code violations to DOB
- Hire a DOEE-licensed mold professional
- File a complaint DC Superior Court’s Housing Conditions Court
- Contact the Office of the Tenant Advocate at ota.dc.gov or (202) 719-6560.
Understanding Mold Growth
The best way to address mold growth is to prevent it:
Keep surfaces dry by wiping them down after showering or cooking, and boost airflow with exhaust fans or open windows. Maintain a healthy indoor environment by using dehumidifiers or air conditioners to keep humidity below 50%. Clean regularly with natural mold-fighting solutions and insulate cold surfaces to prevent condensation. Let sunlight in whenever possible, as mold thrives in dark, damp spaces.
Mold naturally forms when moisture, water, or humidity meet materials like:
- Wood
- Carpet
- Ceiling tiles
- Floor surfaces
- If mold shows up on walls, ceilings, or floors:
- Identify the water source (plumbing leaks, roof damage, groundwater intrusion)
- Notify the property owner or landlord immediately
What’s NOT a Mold Problem?
Not all discoloration or buildup is considered a mold issue. The following are housekeeping concerns:
- Routine cleaning tasks such as:
- Dusting
- Mopping
- Wiping or scrubbing surfaces
- Minor mold or mildew around windows or bathtubs:
- If the area can be cleaned with household cleaners or
- If the issue can be resolved by re-caulking the surface
These are considered normal maintenance and should be addressed through regular housekeeping.
Tenants are responsible for correcting moisture problems that result from their own use or neglect, while property owners/landlords must repair building defects that cause mold.
- Notify the property owner/landlord in writing
a. Email, text, or letter — be sure to keep a copy
- Allow the property owner/landlord to inspect the property containing mold concerns:
a. If the property owner/landlord does not inspect within 7 days, or
b. Fails to repair moldy conditions within 30 days
Owner/Landlord Remediation Rules
- Reference Section 305 of the Air Quality Amendment Act of 2014
- Property owners/landlords are required to:
- Inspect affected areas within 7 days of receiving written notice
- Remediate mold on building materials and certain wood products
Mold Size Matters: If there is ten square feet or more (approximately 3.16 ft x 3.16 ft or 2 ft x 5 ft) of indoor mold growth, mold assessment and remediation must be performed or supervised by a mold professional licensed by DOEE.
| Contamination Size | Action Required |
| More than 10 sq ft | Must hire a DOEE-licensed mold professional for remediation. (List of Licensed Mold Professionals) |
| Less than 10 sq ft | Remediation can be handled by non-licensed individual following DOEE guidelines (Mold Remediation Guidance Document) |
Helpful Resources
A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home (PDF): General information on cleaning and preventing mold.
Mold Cleanup in Your Home | US EPA: EPA Guidance on Mold Cleanup in Your Home
Guidance document final PDF.pdf: MOLD IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES: Steps to take when addressing mold in homes
§ 42–3502.22. Disclosure to tenants. | D.C. Law Library: DC Law Landlord Disclosure of Mold to Tenants
§ 8–241.04. Indoor mold remediation obligations at residential properties. | D.C. Law Library: DC Law Indoor mold remediation obligations at residential properties indoor
Mold and Health | US EPA: Mold and Health
