What a home seller in DC has to disclose
DC's seller disclosure law is short and specific. Here's who it covers, what goes on the form and what happens if it arrives late.
No obligation. No pressure. Takes about 2 minutes.
The short answer
Under DC's Residential Real Property Seller Disclosure law, the seller of a one-to-four-unit home must give the buyer a signed disclosure statement, on a form approved by the Mayor, before or when the buyer signs the purchase agreement. It lists the defects you actually know about in the areas the law names, from the roof and foundation to wiring, appliances and lead in the water service line. The law applies when the buyer has said in writing that they plan to live in the home, and every disclosure must be made in good faith.
Step by step
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1
Check whether the law applies
It covers sales, exchanges, installment contracts and lease-to-own deals for homes with one to four units, but only when the buyer states in writing that they intend to live there. It doesn't apply to court-ordered or probate transfers, foreclosures, transfers by a fiduciary who doesn't live in the home, transfers between co-owners, transfers to a spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild or sibling, divorce transfers, government transfers, or new homes that have never been lived in.
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2
Fill in what you actually know
The statement covers known defects or information about water and sewer systems, including lead test results, lead plumbing, the lead service line, whether it has been replaced and whether DC Water lists the property as having one; insulation; the roof, walls, floors, foundation and basement; plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning; any history of rodents or wood-boring insects; appliances; alarm and intercom systems; the garage door opener; and fixtures. If you don't know something, you can say it's unknown.
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3
Deliver it the right way, on time
Sign the statement and deliver it in person, by fax or by registered mail, before or when the buyer signs the purchase agreement. You also note that you've complied on the contract, an addendum or a separate document.
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4
If it's late, the buyer gets 5 days
A buyer who receives the statement after signing can terminate by written notice within 5 calendar days of receiving it, and any deposit goes back to them. That right ends at settlement or move-in, or when the buyer applies for a mortgage if the lender discloses in writing that applying ends it.
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5
Two other disclosures to know
If you know of underground storage tanks on the property, or tanks removed while you owned it, DC law requires you to tell each prospective buyer in writing before the contract. Homes built before 1978 also need the federal lead-based paint disclosure.
Sources: D.C. Code § 42-1301 (applicability and exceptions) · D.C. Code § 42-1302 (written statement; termination) · D.C. Code § 42-1303 (scope of liability) · D.C. Code § 42-1304 (change in conditions; unknown information) · D.C. Code § 42-1305 (disclosure requirements) · D.C. Code § 42-1306 (good faith) · D.C. Code § 42-1307 (scope of disclosure) · D.C. Code § 42-1309 (method of delivery) · D.C. Code § 42-1310 (failure to comply) · D.C. Code § 8-113.02(g) (underground storage tanks) · 40 CFR Part 745, Subpart F (federal lead disclosure)
This page summarizes the D.C. Code as read on September 29, 2026. It isn't legal advice. Talk to a DC real estate attorney about your own sale before you sign disclosure forms.
Cash offer vs listing
Example: a $250,000 home
| Offer | $205,000 |
|---|---|
| Repairs | $0 |
| Commissions | $0 |
| Closing costs | $0 |
| You walk away with | $205,000 |
| In 7 to 14 days | |
| Sale price | $250,000 |
|---|---|
| Repairs | about $8,000 |
| Commissions | about $13,800 |
| Closing and holding | about $6,000 |
| You walk away with | about $222,200 |
| In 60 to 90 days | |
Example only. Your numbers depend on your home and market.
With the disclosures sorted, we'll show you the cash offer next to what listing your DC home could net, side by side.
Frequently asked questions
What if I don't know the answer to a question on the form?
You can say the information is unknown. Your answers are based on what you actually know, and it isn't a violation to miss something that could only be found by inspecting hidden parts of the home or by an expert in a trade or science.
Can a missed disclosure undo the sale?
A sale isn't invalidated just because someone didn't comply with the disclosure law, though a late statement gives the buyer the 5-day right to terminate. The law also doesn't limit other rules on fraud or misrepresentation.
Does the law apply if my buyer won't live in the home?
The disclosure act applies only when the buyer says in writing that they intend to live there. The federal lead rule for pre-1978 homes and DC's underground storage tank disclosure aren't tied to that, so they can still apply.
Who are you?
We are real estate investors based in Baltimore, helping homeowners since 2016. We buy houses directly for cash. We are not a licensed real estate brokerage and do not list homes ourselves; if listing could get you more, we show you the math so you can choose.