Today, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George reintroduced the Housing with Integrity Amendment Act of 2025 to promote stronger accountability in DC’s rental housing system and protect tenants from unsafe and undignified living conditions. 

The Housing with Integrity Amendment Act creates meaningful consequences for landlords who consistently fail to meet basic housing standards, preventing housing operators from receiving new Basic Business Licenses if they own rental properties with 10 or more units where Class 1 or Class 2 housing code violations affect 30% or more of those units and remain unaddressed for at least 90 days.  

“For too long, a small group of landlords has been able to profit by buying up rental properties in DC and then charging high rents while neglecting building maintenance and security,” said Councilmember Lewis George. “We need to protect tenants in DC by preventing neglectful landlords from expanding their foothold in our communities.”

Class 1 violations represent the most serious threats to health and safety, including issues like lack of heat or hot water, electrical hazards, structural defects, and pest infestations. Class 2 violations are less immediately dangerous but still impact habitability, such as defective plumbing fixtures, inadequate ventilation, or minor structural problems. When these violations affect nearly one-third of a property’s units and remain unresolved for months, it demonstrates a clear pattern of neglect that puts residents at risk. 

The legislation also enhances oversight by expanding the Proactive Inspection Program to create a new highest-risk tier. Properties that meet these violation thresholds will be placed in Tier 1 and undergo inspections twice a year, ensuring consistent monitoring of landlords with the worst compliance records. By denying new business licenses to landlords who repeatedly fail to meet basic housing standards, the bill shifts the burden of enforcement away from tenants and back onto those responsible for maintaining safe housing. In doing so, this approach recognizes that housing is a human right and that landlords who profit from rental housing must be held accountable for providing safe, habitable conditions. 

The bill was co-introduced by Councilmembers Charles Allen and Matt Frumin.